Difference between serum and moisturizer

What is a Serum? What is a Moisturizer?

Can I just wear one of them? Which one should comes first?

Many of my friends confused between these 2 products, mistaken a serum as a light weight moisturizer. Some even get mixed-up on the application too (moisturizer then serum – which are wrong!)

A serum and a moisturizer are designed to work hand-in-hand to deliver a better result, not alone.

So what is a serum?

Face serum usually has a smaller molecules so they are capable of penetrating deeper layers into our skin that regular moisturizer is not able to reach.  A serum is usually more concentrated, more moisturizing and lightweight than moisturizer therefore they can absorb into the skin quicker.  A serum is usually a treatment for specific problems of your skin such as wrinkles, discoloration and acnes. So it’s don’t be surprised that a face serum cost much higher than a moisturizer due to high percentage of active quality ingredients.

And what is a moisturizer?

Face moisturizer on the other hand has larger molecules than serum thus unable to penetrate the skin as far as a serum will. But a moisturizer will help to seal the nutrients inside to prevent moisture from evaporating.

So do I need to get face serum and face moisturizer?  Yes, if you are dealing with specific concerns such as wrinkles, spots.

Just remember no matter how amazing a face moisturizer is, it may work only on the surface but a face serum can work deep within.

Then what is the right steps to wear these 2 products?

Apply serum before anything else and then comes your moisturizer.

Cleanser –> Toner –> Serum –> Moisturizer –> Eye Cream –> and finally Sun Screen (In the morning)

Always start with the correct skincare regime and  only you will see the results/differences.

So ladies, don’t get confused anymore k! and Good Luck!

Love, Shantz

Getting Rids of Blackheads? or Whiteheads?

Blackheads? Whiteheads?

Learn more information about blackheads and whiteheads from here.

I have blackheads around my nose and whiteheads on my chin. I have tried all other methods of removal: Kao Biore blackhead removal strips, deep cleansing pores scrub, pores treatment lotion, pore cleansing brush and more. None of them worked L

Till about 2 months ago, I stopped by @ Laneige Jurong Point Boutique to get moisturizer for my hubby, CT. I came across the Laneige Blackhead Melting Gel. I was drawn to product almost immediately. The friendly SA carefully explained to me about this product and claimed it's one of their top selling items especially the Laneige Blackheads Strip.  According to her, for the best result, it's advisable to use the Laneige Blackhead Melting Gel together with the Laneige Blackhead Strip. (I was thinking to myself even Biore Strip didn't work on me, let alone this Laneige Strip. It's quite expensive - S$15 for 10 strips)

It's been my long quest to find an effective product that will help to eliminate the black/ white heads, so without hesitation I bought these 2 products to try.

Since then, my mission accomplished! I've found the perfect products keep my blackheads at bay. Hip hip hooray!!! J

R-L: B.liv off with those heads, Laneige Blackhead Pore Strip
and Laneige Blackhead Melting Gel

Here is my pore care regime:

1)    Deep pore scrubbing or Exfoliating

Prior using the Laneige Melting Gel, it is best to exfoliate your face as it helps to open up your pores and remove the oldest dead skins on the skin’s outermost surface. I exfoliate my skin at least twice a week!

I’m still searching for the best deep pore scrubbing product. I heard good reviews on Mario Badescu’s Silver Powder. I will review the product once I finish my current scrub, so stay tune!

2)    Laneige Blackhead Melting Gel

      The Laneige Blackhead melting gel is a self-heating gel that becomes warm once it comes in contact with the skin. This product must be used on a dry face or else it wouldn't work to it's desired effect! Pump appropriate amount of melting gel and apply it to area that needs treatment in a circular motion for 20-30 seconds. Then wait 20 seconds (after massaging) for the gel to set in and then wash the area with lukewarm water. Continue the next step with the Laneige Blackhead Pore Strip.  I also apply this on the chin, where my whiteheads are hidding.  

The bottle has a good grip and the size fit perfectly on my palm

The soft silicon brush makes for gentle and yet efficient messaging

  

3)    Laneige Blackhead Strip

      Pat some water on your nose and lightly press the strip on your damp nose (do not apply water directly to the strip because the water melts the content of the strip and extends drying time). Wait about 10-15 minutes until the strip is completely dried before pulling it off slowly from both edges.  Remember to apply toner to close back the opened pores.

Can you see the blackheads? I've lots of it  L

Sorry, it kinda grossed! But here is the close-up view of the strip

I use Laneige Blackhead Melting Gel and Blackhead Strip at least once a week, but if you have severe blackheads you might want to do it twice a week instead.

4)    B.liv off with those heads

      I bought this product from SaSa on impulse. That time B.liv was having a promotion “Money back guarantee if you don’t see the result after 2 weeks.”

      So I told myself why not give it a try?

Since then it has been one of my HOLY GRAILS!

 Clear gel consistency and A small amount needed to apply on my nose



It’s clear gel consistency that dries quickly (so you can get on with the rest of your skincare). I love the minty smell and nice cooling sensation upon application.

After toner, before applying face serum and moisturizer, I usually apply B.liv lotion on my nose. WOW...this product is really works! This is the first pore minimizing/blackhead reducing products that actually works for me. Not even my SK-II Skin Refining Treatment gives me such AMAZING results.

You can see the results after 2 weeks – day and night application.

This product doesn’t get rid of black/white heads completely however frequent use helps to maintain a relatively clean nose

Did you know? This gel also helps to cure your pimples too!!

What about using fingers?

Yes, I ocossionally use my fingers to clear my pores too. Please make sure your index fingers covered with tissue or clean handkerchief/cloth. With your fingers on (near) both sides of blackhead, apply gentle pressure. After extracting, always cleanse the skin with toner to prevent infections.

So ladies, have you found your perfect solution yet?

I'm HAPPY now because I found mine!

Disclaimer: There is no photoshop work done in the picture. This photo is taken after I completed my pore cleansing ritual. 

 

Love, Shantz

My Clarins Bodycare Regime

Besides looking after our complexion, we also need to care for our body too which I feel often neglected by many women. As skin ages, the body produces less collagen and elastin which important to keep the skin firm and supple. It's also believe that dry skin will start sagging sooner than skin that is kept moisturized.

For me investing good body care products are as crucial as investing good skin care products. After all it’s a total package for women, a good complexion and great body! Somehow I feel that having a great body will help to boost up our confidence. To me to have a great body is like to have toned arms and thighs, firmer breasts and defined waistline. And to achieve this, all I need is a little time and effort to exercise regularly, eating good diets and using good products. What about a breast lift? Or liposuction? Or tummy tuck? For me all these procedures were way too costly and I didn't want to go through another surgery, well not after my 2 C-sections.

How I started my Clarins Bodycare Products

I was expecting my first child, when my ex-colleague recommended Clarins tonic treatment oil to prevent the appearance of stretchmarks.

I've heard enough of horrible stories about the stretchmarks. How scary they could look on our tummy?  So I told myself I must try this product. Better to prevent now then regret later!

For your information, I've a sensitive skin and my skin is allergy to fragrance. Most of my body care products are soap-free and fragrance-free. Initially I’m quite reluctance to try Clarins due to my skin condition. But after doing some researches on the brand and trying few samples, I finally bought my first bottle of treatment oil 4 years ago. Since then I keep going back to Clarins counter to purchase their products.

I simply love Clarins body care products because they use 100% pure plant extracts, aromatic essential oils and most importantly zero preservatives. To me most of Clarins body care products have a therapeutic effect (for me at least).

 

My Clarins Family. I've run out my tonic treatment oil now.
L-R: High Definition Body Lift, Body Shaping Cream,
Bust Beauty Extra-lift Gel and Bust Beauty Firming Lotion.

My Clarins Bodycare regime

1)    Tonic Body Treatment Oil

This product is actually Clarins #1 selling body oil and very popular among mommies-to-be. Many friends have swear by the product  which not only help in prevention of stretch-marks and some even said help to firm and tone the tummy after birth. Personally, this is my Holy-Grail; I have been using for 4 years now and will continue to use it for as long as I could. Some said having stretch marks is a genetic, so if your mother had this issue before, then most likely you might have it too. My mother did not have any stretch marks so I’m very fortunate not to have it too. So I could not comment whether the effectiveness is proven or not but at least all my friends swear by this product. This product smell the best among all the Clarins products that I'm using now.

My hubby CT loves it too and always asks why I always smell good after shower.

Application: Apply a small amount on damp skin after shower in circular motion and slowly massage my concerned areas. Then lightly use towel to pat dry the oil. I also apply this oil on my arms and my thighs, practically all the concerns area. For some of you, who don’t like the greasiness feeling, might want to take a cool shower after applying this. I use this day and night.

Note: I posted below picture because Clarins have 2 different types of treatment oils. Many people always have mistaken this bottle with another.

Tonic Body Treatment Oil

2)    Bust Beauty Extra-Lift Gel’ in Morning and Bust Beauty Firming Lotion at Night.

These 2 products are the latest addition to my Clarins family.  Clarins SA recommended me to use these products for better result. Each product targeted for different concerns.

Bust Beauty Extra-lift Gel

This gel is meant for lifting, shaping and tightening your breasts.

I have lost a lot of weights on after my second pregnancy that was worried about the sagging (not so much on stretchmarks) on my breast. So I decided to try this product. Believe it or not I could see result almost instantly; it has this immediate “lifting” effect. One of the ingredients, Oat sugars, creates an invisible “natural bra,” helping breasts appear higher on bust line and hold a more defined shape.

 Application: I use this in the morning after shower. All I need is one pump (you might need 2-3 pumps if you have fuller chest), warm the gel and apply light sweeping movements from the base of the breast to the chin. Then gently press down, working up from top of breast to the chin. Repeat on the other side. Do take your time to massage your breast; they need to be LOVED too.  What if you are in hurry? Don’t worry, this is a gel like texture and non-sticky, so need to wait before dressing.

Bust Beauty Firming Lotion

The lotion is meant for firming, toning and replenishing your skin/ breasts.

Two ingredients – Vu Sua and Bocoa extracts that form an invisible “natural bra” that instantly help to restore firmness and tone the bust area. Replenishes and tightens skin from base of the breast to chin.

Application: I use this in the night after shower. Warm the lotion and apply on your breast in circular motion 5 times and gently smooth up to the chin. Repeat on the other side.

Important Note: For nursing mommies, you might want to use these 2 products after you stopped nursing. You won’t want your breastmilks to have unnecessary ingredients right?

3)    Body Shaping Cream

I'm using this product on and off but this is a-must-have product for my postnatal tummy treatment for my both pregnancies. I used this in conjunction with my tonic treatment. I was actually impressed with the results; it helps to contour my waistline, firm and tone my tummy and too.

Application: Massage on targeted areas (waist and abdomen) using a circular and sweeping motion working upwards. A light cream texture and that easily melt and absorb by our skin. I love the tingling sensation linger on my body after application. I would normally apply this only at night when I have more time to give my skin a good massage after long day at work.

Extra tips for mommy-to-be: I applied this product prior wearing my belly binder (to protect my surgery wound) first till I had my postnatal massage 3 weeks later. After my postnatal massage (7 sessions), I continued to apply this product which after that I'd wrap my tummy with gurita and bengkung (girdle) for next 1 month or more. Until now I'm still wearing my bengkung.

4)    High Definition Body lift

This is a cellulite fighter cream which helps to release and flush-out fatty deposits that trapped on hips and thighs. I've been using it for 3 years now and I've noticed some significant improvement on my cellulite - less visible and my skin feel much smoother now. There are micro beads in the lotion that burst when massage it which help to eliminate the cellulite. I read lots of reviews that many of people don’t like the fresh and minty smell but personally I love the refreshing smell and the cooling sensation that lingers on my skin after each application.

Application: I apply this the morning with upward sweeping movement. I usually apply this around my thigh, hips and buttocks; these where cellulite will appear first. The lightweight, non-oily and non-sticky texture is quickly absorbed, so that I don’t have to wait before dressing.

I have tried many slimming products in the market but the result was nothing as compared to Clarins products.       I know these items are expensive gifts for our skin but I believe my body deserves it. But all these items are not miracle bottles; you also have to combine with balance diet, routine exercise, plenty of water, no soda, etc and you may see the difference. Likewise, all the products I mentioned above might work well on me but not to some of you. But I feel they are worth for trying.

Just remember, using all of these products would not give you the immediate results, but your skin will improve with continuous usage. Just like my skin care, I swear by my SK-II and I have been a loyal user for 7 years now.

Love, Shantz

 

After nursing our baby, what is the next step?

Hello Everyone!

Some of you might yourself these questions closer to the arrival of baby:

“Should I breastfeed my baby?” or

“Will nursing cause my breasts to sag?” or

 

“Will nursing cause my breasts to shrink?”

We want to give our baby the best start we can, we can't help but be concerned. Our breasts may or may not return to their pre-breastfeeding size or shape. Some women's breasts stay large, and others shrink.

What causes breasts to sag?

-  Not wearing right supportive bras during and after pregnancy

-  Losing too much weight too quickly (see my records below)

-  Aging

-  Smoking

-  The new recent study indicates that breast-feeding won’t make a new mom’s breasts sag, but having more babies might.

I am proud to say that I have successfully breastfed (bottle-fed to be precise. I have short and inverted nipples, so latching my babies directly are almost impossible) for at least a year for 2 of my children. Not only that I saved a lot of money on the formula milks. I know I have also given them the best nutrition they could have during early stage of their life.

Here some tips that I used to maintain my breasts after breastfeeding:

1) Clarins ‘Bust Beauty Extra-Lift Gel’ and ‘Bust Beauty Firming Lotion’

My friend recommended these products to me as they work well for her. Personally, I'm quite sceptical about any bust treatment cream/lotion and thus didn’t bother to try them after my first pregnancy (well, after all my breasts were still firmed back then). However I decided to gave these products a shot after noticing changes on my breasts. I have tried these products for a month now and I'm quite impressed by the result. I definitely noticed some tightening of the skin around my breasts. Clarins products might work for me and not for some of you thus finding right cream/lotion is important. Please bear in mind that nothing is going to magically drag your breasts up by 5 cm unless you do breast lift.

Read my post on 'Clarins Products'.

                         

2) Simple Chest Workout

I want to share with you simple chest workout that help to lift firm and shape our breasts  which I've learned from my mum.  She'll always be my role model. She's been doing this chest workout for at least 20 years now. Remember the result is not immediate. You need to do these exercises at least 3 times a week. Of course the more you do, the quicker the result will show. I love to do this workout before taking my showers, day and night. This workout also helps to tone your arms too.  

Here some simple chest exercise to follow:

1) Regular Chest Press 

Arms up and slightly bend. Bring both arms to the centre while maintaining them at right angle 90° and then pull back to the original position. Do 2 sets of 12 repetitions.

2) Arm Pull

Arms up and slightly bend. Lift arms and reach for the sky. Pull down both arms and align with shoulders. Do 2 sets of 12 repetitions.

 

 

3) Tilted Chest Press
Tilt body slightly forward and knees slightly bend. Cross hands in front and pull arms up toward shoulders. Do 2 sets of 12 repetitions.

4) Push and Flex
Fold arms in front of you (squat position is optional), left hand on top of right hand. Try imagining pushing your hands away from your arms and do for 12 counts (it's almost like a jerking motion), and switch hand. Do 2 set of repetitions.



Alternative way, cross hands in prayer position. Straighten elbows and press both palms together, hold for 5 seconds and switch hand. Do 2 set of repetitions.


Note: I am not a professional trainer; since this workout work for my mom and myself, why not share it with all of you.  

3) Manage a steady weight

I know every woman want to shed the pregnancy weights almost immediately. Gaining and losing weight causes changes in the size of breasts. Gaining weight causes the breasts to enlarge which results in stretches on the skin. After this, when we lose weight, the breast skin may appear to be stretched and the breasts may appear empty and have a saggy look.  

I have recorded the changes on the size of my bra cup during my 2 pregnancies for references:

1st Pregnancy
	Normal	Pregnancy	Nursing	Stop Nursing
Bra Cup/Size	B70	D75	C80	D70
Weight (kg)	58	68	65	5*

Remarks: I have gained about 10 kg and only managed to retain back my pre-pregnancy weight after stopped breastfeeding (the process of losing weight was gradual) and my breasts were fuller.

2nd Pregnancy
	Normal	Pregnancy	Nursing	Stop Nursing
Bra Cup/Size	D70	D85	C80	B70
Weight (kg)	58	66	50	53

Remarks: I gained only 6 kg on my pregnancy and I lost 16 kg while breastfeeding. I lost more than I gained. 3 months after birth, I weighed only 50 kg (there was months that I weight dropped to 48-49kg). No, I was not on diet; I ate more than I used to. My friends were shocked to see a sudden change in my big appetite at that time. Although I gained some weight after that, my breasts remain relatively small and slightly droopy. I realized that fluctuation in my weight could have caused my breasts to shrink and lose their fit. Note: The above illustrations are all based from my experiences and might not applicable to some of you - you are very lucky! ^^

4) Quit Smoking

Smoking could harm lung and heart, but did you know it could change the shapes of your breast too? Smoking destroys elastin, the protein that gives skin its elasticity. With lower levels of elastin, the breasts droop and sag.

                         

                                      

5) Wearing Correct Bra while exercising

Running is one of the quickest ways to burn those fats. However running without proper support may bring harm to our breasts. The breasts move in 3 directions - vertically, horizontally and in overall figure-8 motion. Without a proper support, breasts move too freely and may stretch the ligaments and leads to sagging. So mommies, do not forget to wear a sports bra whenever you exercise.

Lastly I hope this entry will be useful and will encourage mommies-to-be and nursing mommies to continue breastfeeding. Till now I've not regretted my decision to breastfed my children because I know with good products and regular exercises I could still able to tone and firm my breasts. Many mommies want to breastfeed but they couldn't due to insufficient supply of breastmilk. So for mommies who have good supplies please continue giving your babies breastmilk for at least 6 months. Remember, breastmilk is best for growing infants. Don't let a fear of sagging breasts stop you from breast-feeding.

                     

SAY YES TO BREASTMILK! and Sorry for the long entry.

Love, Shantz