Review:: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

Hi guys,

On the blog today is a review of my favourite facial cleanser

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

For Oily Sensitive Skin

The packaging of this product, like other products from La Roche-Posay, is very simple with the signature blue and white tone. The full size tube contains 200ml which is giant and can last quite a long time, up to 5-6 months even if you use it daily.

This product has a gel-like consistency, is so transparent that I can't take the photo of (sorry guys!). I usually just squeeze out a pea-sized amount, add some water to whip it up then it is ready to work.

This cleanser has some sort of chamomile scent to it, very similar to the Effaclar Duo [+] that I've reviewed (here). I'm not too sensitive with cosmetics fragrance, so this is not my problem, but some of you may do.

What I love most about this cleanser is that it has a pH of 5.5 - which is in the ideal range of 4.5-6.0. As our skin is slightly acidic, a cleanser with a pH in that range will not damage the skin barrier and helps maintain healthy skin.
Second, even though this is a foaming cleanser, after rinsing off, my skin doesn't feel dry or tightened. In fact, it feels well cleansed but still soft and moisturised, ready for next skincare steps.
And finally, because this cleanser foams up a little bit, it works nicely together with my Foreo Luna Mini. The device can glide on my skin smoothly without dragging my skin.

A 200ml tube retails at about $23, but you can wait for it to be on sales at Priceline or Chemist Warehouse. I will buy it again and highly recommend it to you guys.

Review:: Maybelline Define-A-Lash Waterproof Mascara

20 July 2015

Hello gorgeous!!!

I just found my holy grail mascara from Maybelline, so want to share with you guys why I love it so much

Maybelline Define-A-Lash Waterproof Mascara

Maybelline has so so so many types of mascara that always confuse me a lot every time I do the shop. Honestly I don't use mascara on a daily basis because I hate the lumps and spider legs that most mascaras do on my lashes. I want defined, but not clumpy, fake ones. Until I found this one. As you can see from the pictures below, my lashes are lengthen and more defined, but not at all clumpy, exactly what I want.

Natural lashes, no curler, no mascara

 

Lashes curled using Shu Uemura Eyelashes Curler

Curled, with Maybelline Define-A-Lash Waterproof Mascara

Maybelline advertises this mascara to lengthen lashes with zero clump, and it's definitely lived up to its claims. The wand is hard, with "bristles" spaced pretty widely apart (rather than densely), hence only a little amount of product is taken out every dip.

The colour I'm using is Very Black, which is the only shade available in Australia. As I have oily eyelids, after 8 hours, the mascara will smudge a little bit, however lashes are still curled. 

The RRP is $19.25, but you can easily get it on sale (40-50%) at Priceline or Chemist Warehouse. Buy again? Sure!

Review:: La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Spf 50+ Extreme Fluid

6 July 2015

Hello guys,

Summer has come and our skin definitely needs some protection. On the blog today, I will do a review on the sunscreen that I've been using recently

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL

Spf 50+ Extreme Fluid

This product is a physical-chemical "hybrid" sunscreen as it contains both physical (Titanium Dioxide) and chemical filters. List of active ingredients is in the photo below.

Titanium Dioxide: a very common ingredient used in physical sunblock due to its ability to protect skin from both UVA and UVB rays while being very gentle, non-irritating, non-comedogenic and photostable. 
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane or Avobenzone: is also one of the most widely used chemical filters in sunscreen that can absorbs both UVA and UVB rays, however is not photostable
Octocrylene: a UVB filter ingredient, also helps stabilise Avobenzone. However it can be an allergen.
Bemotrizinol or Tinosorb S: broad spectrum UV absorber, photostable and "pretty" safe, considered it is approved in Australia and Europe (but not in the US)
Ecamsule or Mexoryl SX and Drometrizole trisiloxane or Mexoryl XL are two chemical UV filters patented by L'Oréal. When combined, they can block broad spectrum UVA and UVB effectively and are relatively safe.


In terms of the packaging, the bottle is very flat and compact, good to pop in handbag for on-the-go touch-ups. The small nozzle makes it easier to control the amount needed for each application, as the product is very very runny and chances are you will pour more than you need. This sunscreen is very mildly scented and it will quickly disappear once put on the face. 

This sunscreen leaves a white, but not too white, cast on my skin, and definitely not an ideal choice if you don't want to wear some foundation/tinted moisturiser on top. I always have to use a foundation darker than my true skin tone (e.g: Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in shade 53) to neutralise the colour difference. See photos below (sorry for the lighting)

What I love about this product:
- As long as I apply thin layer by layer, it goes on my skin smoothly and sinks in pretty fast, leaving a glow/dewy finish so skin looks very healthy. 
- Has broad spectrum, very high SPF
- It doesn't break me out


What I hate:
- It doesn't dry down completely, a bit sticky actually and may be uncomfortable if wearing too much in the summer (not so lightweight)
- It is not flattering if skin is not well cared for, as it can highlight flakes and dry patches.


A 50ml bottle retails for about $27.50, but you can occasionally get it for 20-30% discount at Priceline or other chemists. This is not my "holy grail" sunscreen, but so far it is quite effective and gentle on my sensitive acne-prone skin, and I will buy it again.

 
Sources:

http://www.paulaschoice.com.au/ingredient-dictionary/sunscreen-actives/octocrylene.html 
http://www.paulaschoice.com/ingredient-dictionary/sunscreen-actives/titanium-dioxide.html 
https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/beauty-and-personal-care/skin-care-and-cosmetics/buying-guides/sunscreen

Review:: Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser

10 June 2015
 
Hi guys!

On the blog today is my review on the Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser and a quick comparison with its sibling the Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser.

Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser

This 235ml bottle retails at $10.99, however I got it on sales for only about $6.50. Cetaphil also has this cleanser in large pump-able 500ml bottles.

  

This cleanser, as its name suggests, is suitable for oily and combination skin. It claims to gently clean skin without irritation, tightness or dry. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to its promises.

First thing first, I hate the smell of this cleanser so bad. Comparing with the Gentle Cleanser which is fragrance-free and only has very subtle, neutral, medication-like scent, this Oily Skin Cleanser really puts me off. This cleanser has a runny consistency, which foams up a little bit when mixed with water. However, it is not foaming enough as I would expect, and if used with Foreo Luna Mini, the device can't glide on smoothly though.

My skin feels squeaky clean after rinsing and quickly becomes dry and tightened. I feel like this cleanser has swept away both dirt and my skin moisture at the same time. Worst, it tingles my eyes. Luckily, it doesn't break me out.

For comparison, Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser:
- has very mild scent
- not foaming
- doesn't give you a squeaky clean feeling after rinsing, instead, it leaves a thin film on the skin. My skin feels clean while still soft and comfortable, and I love it.


Verdict: Even though my skin is oily combination, I don't like this Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser and would not recommend it.

Review:: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

14 May 2015

Hi everyone,

On the blog today is my first impression and quick review on a new moisturiser from Neutrogena. I received this small 5 mg sample from the brand and have used it for almost a week.

Sorry I can't comment on the packaging as I don't have the full sized product. This moisturiser has a gel-like consistency which absorbs very very quickly and doesn't leave any greasy residual. It doesn't cause any irritation or break out for my skin.

Ingredients

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide,Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethicone, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Laureth-7, Carbomer,Fragrance, Sodium Hyaluronate, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, C12-14 Pareth-12, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Propylparaben,Sodium Hydroxide, Methylisothiazolinone, Copper Gluconate, Blue 1

Silicone (Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer etc) makes the most of the ingredient list as they are all listed near the top. They make the skin feeling smoothed out and blurry. However, I personally hate this feeling.
Glycerin - a humectant commonly used in skincare product
Sodium Hyaluronate - the star of this product, is the salt form of Hyaluronic Acid which is famous for its ability to hold onto water hence plumping the skin. Due to its smaller molecules, it can penetrate more easily into the skin than the acid form. However it is pretty disappointed that Sodium Hyaluronate is listed at the very end of the ingredient list, even after fragrance, making its effectiveness very doubtful.


A full size 50g jar is sold for $24.99, but of course you can buy it at 25-30% discount easily.

However, I would not buy this moisturiser from Neutrogena, as it doesn't work as expected. Despite my skin feeling very smooth after using, I don't see it being hydrated. In fact, there are still flakes visible on my cheeks and nose. Perhaps this product would suit someone with oily skin, not oily combination like mine.

Review:: Foreo Luna Mini

4 May 2015 

Hi guys!

On the blog today is my review on a cleansing device from Foreo. Having used it for about a month now, I can see a significant improvement in my skin and can't recommend it enough. So let's get started!

Foreo Luna Mini

Foreo is a pretty young brand founded in 2013 from Sweden, focusing on beauty and oral care devices. At the moment, their product range is quite limited with Luna (face cleansing devices) and Issa (electric toothbrushes).
Foreo Luna Mini, as the name suggests, is a mini, more affordable version of the full-sized Foreo Luna. I bought this device at David Jones for $179. For comparison, a Luna/Luna for men costs $249, and a more luxurious Luna Luxe costs about $8000.

How it works
My understanding is that the Luna Mini cleanses by vibrating on our skin at 8000 pulsations per minute. The silicon heads will push dirt, impurities and dead skin cells onto the skin surface to be washed away, while gently massage our skin at the same time.
The device has 2 speeds, is waterproof and rechargeable.
There are 5 colours to choose from. Mine is magenta.

What's in the box

Paying $179, what I got is a compact transparent plastic box containing a Foreo Luna Mini, a charging cable, an authenticity card for warranty purpose, a quick start guide and a basic user manual.

The device is made of waterproof silicone with brush heads (silicone touch points) made  from the same material, which is totally different from a traditional cleansing brush such as Clarisonic. The brush heads are varied in size, with larger, thicker ones for cleansing oilier area. 

How to use
It is advised to fully charge the device before the first time use. It took me approximately 30 minutes to fully charge, and should last 4 to 5 months if I use it twice a day. I haven't charged it again in the last month.

Using this device is not rocket-science:
- Wet face then apply cleanser of choice
- Wet the device, turn it on and move it in circular motions over your face for 1 minute. Luna Mini is quite smart that it has pulses and timer for when you should move the device to another face area and when the one minute is over so that you don't over cleanse. The device will turn off automatically after 3 minutes.
- Rinse and pat dry your face
- Rinse and dry the device

Note that Foreo Luna Mini cannot remove makeup, so you should properly remove your makeup before using it. It is also advised not to use this device with scrub, clay based or silicone based cleanser as that will damage the silicone touch points and also damage your skin. In my personal experience, I love using this device with foaming cleanser as it glides on more easily.

Some pros and cons
Pros:

• Very gentle: As I have sensitive skin, I always try to steer clear of using abrasive, harsh things on my face. Luna Mini has super soft silicone touch points that vibrates fast but gently. I've never experience irritation or purging from using this device.
• Effective: My skin feels well cleansed and soft after use, pores seem smaller and tighter.
• Low maintenance: This device has a super long battery life which makes it not only good for everyday use but also ideal for travel. In addition, as it doesn't require you to replace new brush heads frequently as traditional devices, you can save in the long run.
• Hygienic: Because of the silicone material, the device is easy to clean and is resistant from bacterial growth.

Cons:

• The only downside of this device probably is its price tag. On the market now there are other affordable options with very similar technology. I myself haven't tried them and can't comment on their effectiveness, but they may worth looking if you are on a budget and still want to have a facial cleansing devices. 

 Personally, I love my Foreo Luna Mini and would recommend it to anyone who can afford it.

----
After this post was published in Vietnamese, I was contacted by Foreo marketing representative and invited to be one of their affiliates. You can buy Foreo products via this link and if you choose to do so, I will earn a small commission so that I can run and develop this blog. Going through this link or not, the price will be the same for you.
http://flip.go2cloud.org/SH5C 

Review:: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

20 April 2015

Hello beauties!

On the blog today is a review of my holy-grail moisturiser, which is not only super affordable but also works all the time even when my skin was craziest and angriest.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

The tube that I have was bought in Vietnam a while ago. The packaging is quite different from what you can buy in Australia, but the content is the same.

There is no fancy ingredient in this moisturising cream:
Polyglycerylmethacrylate is a film-forming/holding agent, leaves skin feeling smooth when applying
Propylene glycol and glycerin are widely used humectants which absorb moisture for skin and restore its suppleness
Light mineral oil is another common ingredient used in cosmetics, especially moisturiser for its ability to replenish skin. There are some "myths" that mineral oil can clog pores and is bad for skin, but in fact, it is safe and non-sensitising.
Sweet almond oil rich in fatty acid and triglyceride, very effective in soften skin.
This moisturising cream is fragrance free, lanolin free and paraben free and is non-comedogenic.

The cream has a very dense, rich texture. I usually just need a small amount (2-3 pea sized) for my whole face. Using too much is not necessary and actually making the skin feeling heavy and uncomfortable.

This cream is very effective and does exactly what is advertised - moisturising. If you want something that can also whiten or anti-age, this cream is not for you. I've been using it for 2 years (since when I was taking oral isotretinoin for acne treatment) and it has always been one of my household staples. My skin always feel soft and soothed, and makeup always goes on smoothly. Another thing that I love about this cream is its gentleness. Despite my skin being sensitive and acne prone, I've never had an issue when using it. This is my fourth tube, and I can't recommend it enough.