{Review} Laneige Sunblock Aqua SPF 35++

This product was bought on impulse by me on my last year Korea’s Trip. My intention was to buy their famous Sleeping Pack and basic homme skincare for CT, but somehow I ended up buying more items. If you guys been to Korea before, you would know what I mean J When I got back from Korea, I decided to read some research about the product, and the reviews are quite controversial. Some people love it, while others hate it, so I was curious as to what I would think.

So, let’s begin then!

What about the product? (from Laneige’s website)

Laneige Sunblock Aqua SPF 35++ is a daily sun protection that supplies moisture to retain suppleness of the skin.

- Contains mineral water for deep moisturization. Applies lightly without stickiness.

- Non-sticky and lightly penetrates your skin.
- Protects your skin from UV rays when it has been dried by harmful aggressors.
- Feels light and enriching when applied on your skin and provides a refreshing finish

So, what I think about the product?

It has a combination of gel and creamy texture – not too watery and too thick, which I love. It goes smoothly on my face and it does exactly what it promises; it gives a dewy finishing when you apply alone without make-up, however under make-up (I usually wear BB creams on daily basis) it doesn't control oil like my SK-II Whitening Source Derma Definition UV lotion would do. It provides very sheer coverage (actually I didn't notice it at all) and wouldn't leave any white cast on your face like some other sunblocks do. 

However I love the cooling/freshness feeling that lingered on my face after applying it. This sunblock definitely suitable for dry skin and for those who works in air-conditions and need hydration. I strongly feel this product might be suitable for winter season, when our skins tend to get drier. Now that I moved to Qatar and winter is coming soon, I actually regretted having to empty this sunblock quickly. Maybe I’ll ask CT to get it back for me and do another review ^^.

Another thing that I love about Laneige sunblock is that the Zinc and Titanium Dioxide (the sun protecting properties. You can read about different type of sunscreen/sunblock here).

Can you notice the differences?

So, what is my final thought on the product?

·         Easy to use? Yes, but need to pat a little longer.

·         Price? Definitely affordable.

·         Value? Excellent – lasted much longer than expected.

·         Does it work? Not really suitable for my skin type.

·         Would I purchase again? No but I would want to try the oil-free sunblock in the future. I'm always facinated

Have you tried this product? Let me know how it’s working for you.

Love, Shantz

{Review} - Khiel's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

Hooray! Finally I did my first product reviewJ.

I love whitening products especially now I am in my early 30s and I could see some pigmentation around my cheeks. As many of you who struggle with skin pigmentation issue know fading those pesky dark spots can be the most challenging skincare issue of all. The most frustrating thing is to wake up every morning to the same dark spot, day after day, with little to no improvement.

Currently I depend on my 2 holy grails products - SK-II Whitening Spot Specialist serum and Cellumination Essence Ex Serum to combat and prevent old as well as new spot formation. Some of you must be wondering why I still try Khiel’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot solution since I already found my holy grails products, right? What can I say? I’ve always been fascinated by whitening as well as pore minimiser products. I read many positive rave reviews about this serum and it is also one of Khiel’s customers favourite and best sellers product. And since I have run out my SK-II Cellumination Essence Ex, why not try this product. Although I don’t really put too much expectation on Khiel’s but hey the product still deserve a chance. Like a famous saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, this product might not be expensive but maybe the result might be either match or do even better than my current ones.

Kiehl's describes Clearly Corrective as a product designed to target discoloration and dark spots, using a key ingredient called Activated-C and White Birch and Peony Extracts correct skin tone and improves clarity. You can read more about product here.

Interesting diagram from Khiel’s website about the ingredient spotlight and how the serum works:

The Khiel’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution comes in a nice glass bottle and an applicator that reminds me of my beloved SK-II Cellumination Essence Ex. In the bottle, although the serum looks like water but it is in fact a little tacky when applied. I need to pat my face longer for the serum to seep into the skin before applying my moisturizer.  This is something that I did not have to worry when I was using my SK-II serums. I prefer to use this serum in the morning (you can use it day and night) following with only moisturiser and sunblock (when I used Khiel’s serum, I tend to skip most of SK-II regime). I prefer to apply lesser skin care products on day especially when I am going put on some make-up. Slapping too much skin care products will cause your make up to slide down. GASP! 

The texture reminds me a little of SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C.

All you need is just one pump of applicator to
bring just the right amount of serum for the whole face.

So, did it work?

Even after I have finished up the product (It took me about 5 months –like I said, I was only using it one drop every morning). I find that my skin tone is only a tad lighter. However, I find this product work best for me in term of lightening only on my blemishes/ acnes spots (when the acnes are just about to heal) no so much on my pigmentation spots. So in short, my skin condition maintained status quo.  I’m not saying that this serum is mediocre, just that maybe my skin has already ‘customized’ to SK-II products. SK-II worked great because my skin was really bad to start with, so this might be unfair to Khiel’s. But it’s a good product as it does lighten my overall skin complexion.

So, what is my final thought on the product?

·         Easy to use? Yes, but need to pat a little longer.

·         Price? Quite pricy but still affordable comparing to SK-II.

·         Value? Excellent – lasted much longer than expected.

·         Does it work? Yes in term of lightening of my acne scars and No in term of lightening my pigmentation spot. But the product does lighten my overall face complexion.

·         Would I purchase again? Maybe.

Have you tried this product? Let me know how it’s working for you.

Just showing my emptied bottle of Khiel's.

Love, Shantz

{Quick Review} - Biore Pore Pack Black

Ladies, some update from my PORE CARE regime!

Since I’m running out my Laneige Pore Strip, I decide to give Biore Pore Pack Black another shot. Those who follow me know that I mentioned previously review here that I tried this product before but it wasn’t effective at all.

But this time I decided to use my Laneige Melting Gel prior to this.  Voila! It works! J

Laneige Melting Gel is certainly my MUST-HAVE too!

As PROMISE- Visible results on black sheet!

As PROMISE- Visible results on black sheet! (Different angle).
I definitely have my own population of blackheads/whiteheads.

 

Pro

·        It’s definitely economical than Laneige Pore Strip.

Biore Pore Pack Black cost me only less than $5.00 for 10 strips whereas Laneige Pore Strip cost me a whopping $15.00 for 10 strips.

·        It’s easily available in supermarkets, pharmacies, departmental stores.

You can only buy Laneige Pore Strip only from selected departmental stores and Laneige boutiques.

·        The whiteheads/ blackheads are easily visible on black strip.

·        One of the selling point is if the strip has been left too long than the recommended time, we can wet the Pore Pack thoroughly with water and then slowly peel it off.

Cons

·        Not so time-effective. It takes more than 15 minutes (around 20 minutes plus) before the strip dry out. Although on the packaging it claims only need 10-15 minutes.

·        Beside the drying process requires longer time, I realized that I must also stay in a dry place (best in air conditioning room). I tried at 2 different locations; in the toilet room and in my bedroom. The latter location works better (however I didn’t have any issue for Laneige Pore Strip – it dries even in the toilet).

·        Not so gentle to skin. It’s quite painful process when peeling off the strip (It could be because I leave it too long on my nose, but what can I do? The product takes longer time to dry then the recommended time).

And again I didn’t have any issue with Laneige Pore Strip.

Personally I find Biore Pore Pack Black is relatively not a bad product, but if you have sensitive skin, I won’t recommend this product to you – this product can be a little too harsh for your skin.

Will I repurchase it again?

I wouldn’t rule out this brand anymore however I might need to try other Biore Pore Pack (the white strip) before I could decide which one to purchase soon (I might need to stock up this product just in case the product is not available in Doha). So stay tuned for my next quick review on Biore Pore Pack soon.

It’s after all a pocket-friendly product J



I decided to try the product on my chin as well
(where all my whiteheads's hidding place!)
but it failed!

  

The strip from my chin - nothing here!
Just showing this for fun, LOL!



Have you guys try Biore Pore Pack Black and what do you guys think about this product?

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