Review: Phytobaume Colour Protect Express Conditioner

Phytobaume Colour Protect Express Conditioner 150ml Euro 10.90

Conditioning my hair comes naturally for me after shampooing. I have thick, volumious Asian hair and if I miss this step, my hair goes frizzy and could be quite dry at times. Blow drying my hair is an absolute must for me because my hair would take AGES to be fully dried! It is pretty understandable to see the need to condition my hair as my frequent blow drying could further dry out and damage my hair.

Since I was impressed with the Phyto shampoo range, trying out their hair conditioners was a naturally easy decision.  I zoomed in on this, which offers protection on colour-treated hair.

Review: Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner

Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner 0.4 ml MYR 49.90

( This is not an organic/natural based product )

Eyeliners are my thing and are my staples in my makeup routine. I wear glasses, so for more emphasis on my eyes, I much prefer them to mascaras. Mascaras do give me smearing problems because my eye area sweats easily.

I have the 'most oily lids..ever' and I can't use pencil eyeliner because it would smudge terribly on me. The only eyeliner that can last a little longer on my lids are the liquid ones. My first was Lancome Artliner. I love the tip and it's easy for me to draw a nice line but it does not last long on my lids. The most is 2 hours. Come Clio, which I thought is great. I love the intensity of the liquid pen and the gelpresso but it still gives me panda eyes. 

I was at the point where I thought no eyeliner in the world will be able to withstand my oily ( and sweaty ) lids..until I heard of Kiss Me. When I browse through the internet, most claim that this is smudge, sweat, sebum-proof. The results are almost on par with the award winning K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Eyeliner, except that the pigmentation in Kiss Me is more intense. I was really torn between the two and decided with Kiss Me first.

Dealing With T-Zone and Dry Cheeks

Image from here

When I first started this blog, I was dealing with dry and dehydrated skin. The following year, my skin was fine but the sensitivity increased. Fast forward to present, I am currently dealing with over production of oil on my T-zone area ( forehead, nose and chin ) where else, both my cheeks area are dry.Call it hormonal imbalance or seasonal changes but one gotta deal with it quick to balance up the area or it may get worse.

Make some changes in skincare routine

I am a loyalist and I seldom change my routine or skincare products unless my skin calls for it. Because of the current situation I am facing, I did some tweaking, just so to keep my face balanced.

Previous Routine

Morning : Cleanse ( Tepid water only ) < Toner ( Hyaluronic Based ) < Replenish ( MVO Anti-Aging Oil+ ) < Protect ( MVO Moisturizing Face Screen spf 30 )

Current Routine

Morning : Cleanse ( Mild Cleanser ) < Toner ( Hyaluronic Based ) < Replenish ( Alternate with Day Cream and Face Oil ) < Protect ( MVO Everyday Coverage spf 20 )

Review: Yes! Nurse Protect Your Lovely Hands

Yes! Nurse Protect Your Lovely Hands 50ml MYR 29.90

A few months ago, I was given the opportunity by the lovely peeps from The Love Jars to try one of the products they carry called Yes! Nurse Hand Cream.

I have a history of love-hate relationship with hand creams and honestly, I have yet to find a good brand which is worthwhile to keep. This is why I always rely on my body oils instead to keep my hands supple. Weird but it works for me. When this opportunity arose, I was a bit worried because I am not sure if this is able to meet the expectations I have regarding hand creams. Well, let's see if it does.

Brand

All the best things in life started with a story. Apparently chocolate bars were created by a Doctor and his sons in the early 18th century after using it as a medicinal product. Boy do we wish we they were still prescribing chocolate today! 

We do however have our own unique tale to tell. Yes! Nurse was co-founded by a young paediatric nurse at the beginning of 2009. Having been signed off work with dry, cracked and sore hands, she noticed that many of her colleagues were suffering in the same way. 

Trying numerous hand creams with little or no effect she decided to research and develop a unique formula that actually worked.

Guided by nurses across the UK, she co-founded Yes! Nurse and developed an intensive moisturising hand formula that specifically combats the daily routines faced by nurses.  

Yes! Nurse is now a rapidly growing cult brand and quick becoming a trusted favourite of nurses, busy mums and beauty fanatics alike from across the UK.  Yes! Nurse offers a powerful ‘Super Moisturising’ formula crammed full of essential Omega’s, antioxidants and natural actives –  together designed to soothe, hydrate and revive tired skin all day long.

Source: www.yesnurse.co.uk

Product Description
Yes! Nurse's Hand Formula is a fast absorbing, non-greasy emollient. It actively hydrates and replenishes the skin's natural defences against the harsh effects of constant hand washing.

Directions
Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry hands regularly throughout the day, and massage well into the skin for at least 30 seconds.

Ingredients
Aqua, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Mel( Active Manuka Honey ), Cetearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sucrose Stearate, Panthenol ( Vit B5 ), Sweet Almond Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja, PEG 100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Passiflora Edulis Seed (Passionflower) Oil, Punica Granatum Seed (Pomegranate) Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate( Vitamin E ), Salix Alba ( Willow Bark ) Extract, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Coumarin, Linalool.

My Experience

I was greeted with this lovely sight when I open the package! I find that the little gestures and effort from The Love Jars is just lovely and it does make the receiving customer feels warm and appreciated.

Cute packaging and illustration!

The consistency of the hand cream is semi-thick, with a lovely mild 'baby-powdery' scent. As advised, I use a pea-sized amount and massage it well into my skin. I am surprised that it doesn't leave my hands feeling tacky or sticky. It just leaves a thin film of protection, which then slowly sinks in after several minutes. I am not sure if others have the same experience as me, I had experiences with the L'occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, which leaves my hands feeling tight and uncomfortable ( even with generous amount ).  I am glad that this does not leave your hands feeling tight.

My hands are subjected to constant washing, sometimes up to 5-6 times a day with a disinfectant liquid. Because of this, my hands are always dry and tight and no amount of lotions or hand creams I have used were able to give me the nice, moist hands. So this is where my body oil comes into play. It is the only way for me bring back moisture to my hands.

Now with this hand cream, I was taken by surprise on how it replenishes moisture back to my hands almost immediately, making my hands feeling comfortable. However, it does not give you the whole moisture protection with just one use and the feeling would just slowly wear off after 2 hours. In my case, I need to reapply after 3-4 hours to keep my hands feeling comfortable. One thing I like about this hand cream is that it does not hinder your everyday routine. Some hand creams would often leave an overly slip, due to silicones, which makes it a hassle just to grab things with your hands. 

Overall

This hand cream definitely does what it says and has given me protection to my hands for the past one month or so. This is a keeper for me and has met the expectations I have on hand creams. If I have to gripe about something, well...it's the size! I wish these will come in bigger tubes as with the existing size, it will last me to 3 months max. Apart from my gripe on the size, I may have found the hand cream, which is worthwhile for me to invest in the long run.

I am glad to finally see companies like The Love Jars, who are committed to bringing in good, interesting and award-winning products to our shores. We need this in our country! Do visit them at www.thelovejars.com

This item was sent to me by PR for review consideration. This review is based on my honest and personal experience with this product and is not influenced by any parties.

Review: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse 100ml ( Limited Edition )

Euro 19.90 ( Est MYR 82.40 )

This item is one of the popular 'must-have' items should one visit any french pharmacies in France. Due to its immense popularity, it is pretty obvious that I must give it a try, especially when I am a lover of oils.

Product Description

Huile Prodigieuse is a dry oil with unique superactivated formula combining 30% Precious Plant Oils and Vitamin E to nourish, repair and soften face, body and hair. Face and body are left beautifully soft and moisturised, whilst hair is supple and glossy. This oil is suitable for all skin and hair types regardless of age ( from 36 months onwards )

Ingredients

Coco-caprylate, dicaprylyl ether, macadamia ternifolia seed oil, sweet almond oil, hazel seed oil, camellia oleifera seed oil, parfume, tocopherol, borago officinalis seed oil, olive fruit oil, sunflower seed oil, roesmary leaf extract, hypericum perforatum flower/stem extract, tomato fruit extract, benzyl salicylate, linalool, limonene, citronellol, geraniol.

*Bold: Natural Origin

Review: Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel

Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel 300ml MYR 32.90

When I was down with eczema last year, my TCM practitioner recommended me to use pure aloe vera sap on my affected area. I stand today, healed from my eczema woes and I can honestly say that it WORKS! That, to me, has been the best discovery to date. ( Read more about it HERE )

It has since been a norm to me to use it to treat any skin related issues I encounter, be it pimple, dryness, or contact dermatitis. However, I only have one pot of my precious Aloe Vera plant at my home and it breaks my heart every time if I have to cut one of it's stems. Anyone who have a pot of Aloe Vera plant knows that it is painstakingly long for it to grow into full size.

To save my precious Aloe Vera from further agony, I went into Nature Republic one fine day and bought a tub of their best selling Aloe Vera Soothing Gel.

Review: Compressed Mask

Trikeel Face Mask 20 pcs MYR 9.90

Compressed mask are actually paper sheet mask in a pill form. There are a lot of these in the market and many used this in replacement of cotton pads for their Lotion Mask regime. I bought this from Sasa,  mainly for the hubs because the cotton pad method did not cover his face entirely. At that time, he was badly tanned because of work and to save his face from peeling, I know I need to do the Lotion Mask on him everyday, at least for the entire week. 

Types of Masques and Usage for Sensitive, Dry, Dehydrated Skin.

Image from source 

I am an advocate for hydration masques and firmly believe it makes a whole lot of difference to your skin condition if you incorporate them in your weekly skincare regime. Hydration, I believe, is the key to flawless skin. Back in 2011, my skin was not at it's best. It has lost the luster, the glow and though I had my regular facials, my skin was still dry and dehydrated. My skin tone was uneven, dull and my pigmentation grew 'darker'.

I decided then, I want a total change, both in my skincare products and routine. I started to incorporate in facial oils, serums, facescreen and exploring different types of masques. This change, has brought many surprises to many, even my facial therapist, stating that my skin looked so much better. The hydration is back...the glow too!

In these two years, amongst the routines and products, there are two from each group that gave me significant results. One was topical Vitamin C and another, diligent use of masques. These two has never failed me. For me personally, no amount of expensive serums or oils, can replace these two. That is why in this post, I am sharing with you simple, yet effective types of hydration masques that worked so well for me. Oh, and don't forget to exfoliate your face first before the masques!

Review: Phytopanama Daily Balancing Shampoo ( Oily Scalp )

Phytopanama Daily Balancing Shampoo ( Oily Scalp ) 200ml MYR 88.00

A couple of months back, I was told by a hairdresser that my scalp is prone to oiliness and that is one of the main causes of my 'on off ' dandruff affair. This new revelation has taken me aback because all the while, I thought my scalp was normal! Anyway, I was advised to use a shampoo, specifically for oily hair, and use it alternately with my normal shampoo.

I have decided to go back to Phyto, since their Phytoapaisant Soothing Treatment Shampoo did quite good for me.

Product Description

Rich in quillaja bark extract, PHYTOPANAMA helps regulate excess sebum production. Quillaja bark is rich in saponins and known for its oil absorbing qualities. Recommended to refresh and purify an oily scalp. PHYTOPANAMA is gentle enough for everyday use. Hair is left fuller and softer.

Ingredients
Quillaja saponaria bark extract, water, disodium laureth cocoamphodiacetate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, disodium ricinoleamido mea-sulfocuccinate, potassium undecylenoyl hydrolyzed soy protein, cocamidopropyl betaine, zanthoxylum alatum fruit extract, xylitol, junipers communis fruit oil, lactitol, polyquaternium-7, glycerin, fragrance, methychloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone citric acid.

Allergic Reaction Due to Product Ingredients ( Sensitive Skin )

Image from livestrong.com

Lately, I've been reading and hearing a number of stories about allergy reaction to certain ingredients found in some skin care products. Well, unfortunately, a few days ago, I had my share in one of those unfortunate episodes, thanks to a facial salon. My allergy reaction wasn't as bad as Juli's. Hers was bad and really unfortunate, but I admire her bravery for speaking out and sharing her experience, despite obtaining scars ( both physically and emotionally ) from it.

A few days ago, I went for my regular facial appointment and during that time, they were having some 50% discount on facial services and I decided to try a new facial programme and asked for a recommendation from my therapist. Well, she did and I went through it. Before I go on, I have been a regular with this facial salon for almost 7 years! Personally, I like to stick to one therapist, which I am comfortable with, as they will be able to know my skin better ( know the improvements and the bad as well ). I have recently changed to a new therapist and have been using her for 4 months. ( Please keep in mind, they have a record which indicates which products of theirs I am allergic to ) Since she is new to me, I have been harping to her that I can't use one of their anti-aging range, which is catered for mature clients and have told her that I have allergic reactions to it. She noted it and so far, she has been very careful not to introduce new products to my skin...until a few days ago.