Nivea Body UV Whitening Serum

Slow and steady

Being Asian women, we adore fair skin. Don't ask why, its our culture I guess. In ancient China, fair skin was a mark of beauty; in some countries like Korea and India, fairer skin indicates the person are from family with better economic status. Japan is one of the country that produces the most whitening beauty products. I'm born with fair skin (perks of having a Japanese mother, yeah!!!!) but with all the outdoor activities, cheer practises and beach vacation, I now have uneven skin tone and some sun spots. So when this product was launched, I hop on the ban wagon immediately.

NIVEA Body UV Whitening Serum SPF 22 RM19.90 / 200ml

On the label

What it says?

Repairs accumulated sun damaged skin for smooth, fair and radiant skin tone all over the body. 

What's in it?

Soy protein peptides and Vitamin C

The Verdict? 

Give it time. If you wanted a to lose one tone in a day, you are better off with lemon juice but this do work, slowly. It claims to work within 14 days but the result wasn't that visible. Give it a good whole month, day and night. My body skin tone had became more even especially on my back (bikini line, Yieks!) and legs. It absorbs quickly without any oily film which many body lotions do. It doesn't lighten scars or any pigmentation but that wasn't promised on the label so its okay. I top it off with the NIVEA body whitening lotion because we do top off serum with moisturizer on our face so I figure its the same concept. I'm into my 6th bottle now and until something else is out in the drugstore, I will continue to purchase this. 

PRO's

Lighten and even out skin tone in long run

Non-sticky

Easily absorb

Lightly scented

Cheap

CON's

Hard to control amount as its in a squeeze tube

Looking for a body SPF, try this then!

Biore Makeup Remover Cleansing Gel

Disappointment.......

I got this when I was in Singapore last September. Long long ago, yes as I do not review any products that I've used less than 3 months. It was pretty cheap and I'm always drawn to gel formulas as it is suppose to be good for combination skin and Biore always has a place in my heart so I figure no harm trying.

Biore Makeup Remover Cleansing Gel SD 6.90, around RM 22 / 170g

On the label

Removes makeup and facial dirt thoroughly and leaves skin refreshingly clean. Oil free soft gel that melts on skin without sticky feeling after cleansing. With moisturizing agent that makes skin feel smooth without any tightness. 

 The Verdict? 

Blah. Best word to describe it, it was okay in removing makeup but double cleansing is needed. I only have BB cream, blush and setting powder on. It sting your eyes if it gets around eye area. I can't take the smell as it was very soapy scented. It doesn't dry up my skin but the moisturizing part was just lightly felt. Overall, I will not repurchase it as there are other removers that work better at that price. I was kind of disappointed as Biore's cleansing oil was quite good. I guess there are hits and misses in everything.

PRO's

No stickiness 

Cheap

Moisturizing

CON's 

Doesn't clear of all the makeup

Smells like soap

Hard to control amount used 

Love Biore? Maybe you should stay away from this.

Garnier Pure 3-in-1 Wash, Scrub & Mask

This Works!!!!!

I've been having breakout on my forehead and chin area lately. Not a lot, just one or two but whenever this pesky things appears, they sure are HUGE and they linger for weeks! At first I thought it was hormonal, but after some reading, I realize only chin area breakouts were due to monthly hormones, forehead were mainly caused by dehydration and stress, digestion problems will attack your cheeks while dirt and sebum will give you a nasty nose breakout.

So I went looking for ACNE TREATMENT. I re-tried products that worked during my high school time, OXY Benzoyl Peroxide, Clean and Clear Treatment Spot Gel, DIY Bicarbonate Soda paste etc. but none of these worked! I've later learned that I'm allergic to benzoyl peroxide as its making my skin peel until a state that it bleeds! * YUCK*

One day, I was roaming (literally) in Watson's and I stumble upon this

Garnier Pure 3-in-1 Wash, Scrub & Mask, RM15.90 / 150ml

On the label

Who is this for? 

Oily to Combination Skin prone to imperfection, shine and blackheads.

What's in it?

Zinc to regulate sebum, purify and eliminate impurities.

Pumice Stone to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores.

White Clay to sooth, absorb excess oils and mattify skin. 

Salicylic Acid to fight bacterias

Mineral Complex

The Verdict, does it works?

YES! It does live up to its claims. I had a red bumpy zit on my chin, I dab some on for 15 minutes and after rinsing, the redness did reduced and the bump went down, NO MORE RAGING PIMPLE! It doesn't flake out my already delicate and sensitive skin, I guess its because it doesn't contain benzoyl peroxide. My skin got slightly brighter too thanks to the pumice stone. I used this as a mask only because I don't like washing my face with exfoliants daily. 

PRO's

Cheap

Easily available

Reduce redness and bump

CON's

might be too mild for severe acne

pumice stone are too harsh

- WARNING -

Nor suitable to be used daily as frequent exfoliating will cause thinning of skin, giving bacteria an entrance.

Pumice stone particles are too harsh so be gentle while rinsing.

NEVER leave it more than 20 minutes as it does dry your skin out of all its natural moisture.

Overall, its a good product and I will repurchase it when I'm done with all my clay mask stash. * GUILTY*

Its very worthy for that price and if it works, why not right!

Any good secrets on acne products to share?

October Youtuber!

Youtube hosts my mentors, consultants, people that I look up to and more. They are AMAZING so I could not help it but to make a monthly tribute to the Youtubers that I love the most. To kick start this "series" , I do not even have to hesitate but to mention the first ever Youtuber that I follwed - StyleSuzi !

What caught my attention at first is her accent, its unique, cute and fun. She is a beauty and fashion Youtuber who worked with some of the biggest UK brands like ASOS, Very.co.uk, Illamasqua just to name a few. I love her OOTD (she has very chic yet simple street style) and Favourites videos the most (she has combination skin too). If you want honest opinions, detailed reviews and just someone nice to listen to, Suzi is should be in your subscribe list. You can also follow her on Twitter, Blog, Instagram, Lookbook or Facebook. She had thought me so much, since sharing is caring, I must spread this beauty goodness.

Who is your favourite for October? 

Christmas Ideas

Making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty and nice.......(I'm sure you are humming the song as you read this) Its shopping for Christmas gifts time! Christmas was, is and will forever be my FAVOURITE day of a year. It might be the jolly atmosphere, the seductive aroma of ginger bread or the anticipation of Christmas presents that is so exciting about Christmas but for me Christmas is more than that. It is a day to forgive and forget, a day to spread joy and love to your love ones and to spend some quality family time.

If you are a collage student like me, or just anyone who wouldn't want to spend too much on Christmas gifts. Here are some Christmas Ideas that I've tried or will be trying soon.

Personalize Coaster

Materials : Plain coaster, glue, templates, scissors, and coloured paper.

*You could just wrap a stack in ribbon or include a set of glassware to make it look more expensive *

Getting-to-know Christmas Kit

Materials: Christmas songs, books, ornaments, candy.....

* This is a great gift for those who are new to Christmas and the things that you could put in is endless *

Christmas Spa Kit

Materials: Brown sugar scrub, essential oils, scented candles and face mask

* Great for those who needs pampering and again, the things you could put in are endless *

Snack Kit / Survival Kit

Materials: Granola bars, chocolate, mints, nuts etc

* I did this for my guy best friend all the time and he really appreciates it *

Ornaments / Key chain 

Materials: Sewing kit, felt fabric, scissors and templates

* slightly more hard work but if you enjoy sewing then why not? Daiso is a good place to look for felt *

Ginger Bread Pre-Mix

Materials: Pre-Mix of any baked goods, attached instructions

* Great for those who has a working oven at home, safe yourself the hassle *

Plush Toy / Cushion Pin

Materials: Sewing kit, felt fabric, scissors and templates

*Again, if you enjoy sewing *

Chocolate Candy Cane

Materials: Candy cane, melted chocolate, lining paper and gift box

* You could use cheese stick or any other baked goods *

Snowman Jar of Sweetness

Materials: jars, mints, cocoa powder and mini marshmallow

* include instructions for a hot chocolate *

Okay, this is all from me. There many more great ideas but I like gifts that are practical, less hassle and personalize so these are my top favourites so far. Always include a note to give that extra magical touch.

Care to share? Tell me about your opinion and ideas?

Skincare Routine

Skin care routine, a thing that I’m obsessed with and without fail, I would Google or Youtube or Facebook anything or skin care related. So why skin care instead of beauty product? Simple, because as much as I believe the magic of make up, I could not master it myself. So skin care it is.

Let’s get started with some information.

Skin type : combination with oily T zone, sensitive to strong ingredients ( benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid)

What I want : Balance, hydrated and fair skin.

What I look for in products : Purse friendly , environmentally friendly and easy to get my hands on.

My skin been acting up for the couple of months because of my lifestyle mainly. So I’ve made some changes such as avoiding alcohol, sticking to one basic skin care routine (because I’ve a habit of changing my products weekly) so my skin could adapt to it, sleep before midnight (this is the hardest part!!!!) and taking cod fish oil because I don’t eat much meat. Below are the products that I’m using currently.

Day Routine:

Garnier lightening scrub wash 

wakes me up with its lemony scent, a basic scrub, nothing much to rave about.

Hadaruda Hyaluronic Acid Toner

from Sasa hydrates my skin but not too rich like the Hadalabo’s toner which breaks me out.

Olay White Radiance Serum

lightens my complexion without a greasy feeling but doesn’t lighten scar *sob because I’m an easily scared person, a friend said I’ve skin of a peach *

Olay Natural White Lotion with SPF25 or Biore Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF50 PA++ 

I used Olay lotion since I’m 15 so I know it’ll not break me out but it is slightly greasy although it claim to be oil free. The  Biore was a new discovery mainly for high SPF protection if I’ll be under the sun for more than 15mins. However I’m regretting it because its silicon based which was said to clog pores. ( I realise most Asian products are not very safe)

Dr. G Brightening Balm

gives good coverage with SPF45 and its pretty well at controlling oil. I only use it when I need the extra coverage or there is a presentation/date/gathering etc. But I’m not sure about BB creams tbh, I think they are too rich for Malaysia’s weather. I always break out to BB creams no matter which – Dr. Jart Black Label, Silver Label, Garnier, Maybelline and BRTC Jasmine water some of the brands I’ve used.

 Olay total effects eye cream

 but I do not think it works so as all the other eye creams I’ve used – L’oreal , Naruko lavender eye cream, Boots Cucumber eye cream, Clinique all about eyes, La Mer eye cream and . The Olay has shimmer in it which might trick you into thinking its working but its not.

Night Routine:

Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Cleanser 

which is gentle enough and paraben-free *thumbs up* but I do not think I need an anti acne cleanser so I will not repurchase.

Hadaruda Hyaluronic Acid Toner

Olay White Radiance Serum

Olay White Radiance Night Cream 

has a nice scent and thick texture but dries fairly quick. I really do believe used together with the serum, the results are much more vivid compare to just using the serum by itself (which I used to do).

* I alternate my night routine’s serum and moisturizer every 2 weeks to lighten my scars faster *

Kiehl’s Spot Whitening Treatment

is light but absorb fairly slow so you will gave to be really patient when massaging it into the target area and in my case, the scars. No visible results yet after a month.

Fruit of Earth Aloe Vera Gel 

soothes my skin from all the strong whitening products I’ve been using. I used Hazeline moisture cream since I’m 15 but several years ago I realise its ingredients wasn’t good for skin so I switched to this instead. The gel is as basic as it gets but it does do its job in locking in moisture and creating a barrier of protection ( literally as dries up like a coat of gel ).

What is your skin care routine? Sharing is caring!