Piringubu Blackhead Expel

I’ve been absolutely manic about skin peels the past three months or so. Basically every pay day, I will go out and get myself two products to try. The Asian products usually aren’t too expensive anyway – most of the items are about the $20 range so it’s thankfully a sustainable habit….for now haha

So far, I haven’t actually seen that much of an improvement. But I have been getting less potential-pimples. I used to grow many potential-pimples which are like the start of pimples, but they never grow into full pimples. So there’s just a bump that would lurk on my forehead for ages. I get very few of those now, and apart from the massive pimple I had on the side of my nose towards the end of last week, I hadn’t had a pimple in months either. I have discovered that my dry skin is acting up a bit, so perhaps I need to look into moisturising products now…

I talked to two friends who were also really into skincare, and was introduced to different blackhead removing sets which is a direct competitor to this product. Seeing as one of them had already tried their product and said it was “OK”, I thought I should take one for the team and try out Piringubu Blackhead Expel Blackhead Eliminating Activated Charcoal Set.

Piringubu Blackhead Expel Blackhead Eliminating Activated Charcoal Set instantly eliminates stubborn blackheads instantly! Contains step 1 Deep Blackhead Softening Solution that loosens blackheads. Step 2 Blackhead Expel Activated Charcoal Mask that pulls out blackheads deep down from the pores and Step 3 Pore Minimizing Essence that closes the pores and prevents blackheads from forming again. Made In Japan with the best, high quality ingredients. Satisfaction guaranteed! The best blackhead remover in the market today.

STEP 1: Deep Blackhead Softening Solution (40 ml.)

Loosens stubborn blackheads and lubricates the pores to prepare the skin for an efficient removal of deep seated blackheads, dirt and other skin impurities.

Instructions: Apply hot towel on the face for about 3 minutes to open up the pores. Then apply this product using a cotton pad. Wait until areas are completely dry before step 2.

STEP 2: Blackhead Expel Activated Charcoal Mask (60 g.)

Pulls out tenacious blackheads gently while sucking out sebum deep down the pores to ensure blackheads are treated from the inside out and prevents them from coming back!

Instructions: Apply on areas to be treated such as nose, cheeks, forehead and chin. Wait 10 to 15 minutes to ensure it is dry before peeling it off. Wash the face to remove residue.

STEP 3: Pore Minimizing Treatment Essence (40 ml.)

Moisturize and calms the skin after Blackhead Expel treatment. Minimizes pores to make them smaller and helps prevent blackheads from forming again inside the pores.

Instructions: After washing your face, pat it dry with a towel. Apply the gel by spreading it upwards and outwards using a circular motion all over the face until the gel is absorbed.

If you have large pores and a big blackhead/whitehead problem, this would probably be a great product to try out. To know more about this product, click here

NERIUM REVIEW

Hello! & Thanks for reading!

I was lucky enough to sample Nerium for the first time recently from my friend Heather. I had minimal previous knowledge on the product but was seeing a lot of great reviews and crazy awesome before-and-after photos on social media. I got the bottles in the mail and sampled Nerium for 5 nights.

BEFORE

I did a little research before starting just to get to know the product I was sampling. Nerium was discovered by researching the use of the nerium oleander plant, I like that this comes from a plant! Nerium is used to treat wrinkles, discoloration, and texture of the skin. I would say the texture of my skin is what I saw most improvement in. My face is more smooth and soft, it feels and looks healthier, and my pores are smaller!

USE

The bottles themselves are really pretty and look nice just sitting out, not something you want to hide in the closet. There are two creams, a day and night cream. It says to use 4-5 pumps of the product but I only used 1-2, more than that seemed excessive. The day cream is like a really nice moisterizer that doesn’t leave a weird greasy or sticky feeling, and I love it. The night cream is more of a gel/cream and goes on your damp skin with damp fingers. I actually love the night cream, it does have a different smell at first but knowing that it comes from a plant explains that. It goes on and starts to dry sort of a mask-like/tightening feeling and after it dries all the way my skin feels super soft.

OVERALL

I love this product. I love that I am not adding anything to my skincare routine by using Nerium, it’s simply replacing my daily moisterizer and night cream. Seeing any kind of results in only 5 nights is amazing. I like that it’s not just a product for people with wrinkles, or someone with discoloration, this is a product for everyone. I plan to continue using this product!

Rhino Repair By Oasis Beauty

This year was one of the first winters that I’ve really felt the cold, and as a result  my skin has been suffering; it’s been feeling really dry and my poor hands have been rough and cracked. I’ve also been experiencing some mild eczema on the insides of my knees and on my elbows, and I’m pretty sure this is just down to the cold weather. It’s awfully uncomfortable though, and there’s been nights where I’ve struggled to sleep as my skin feels so itchy.

I had heard of the fabled Rhino Repair from NZ company Oasis Beauty, however I had never tried it for myself. I’ve read many reviews where people raved about it being brilliant for dry skin so when a tube of it arrived for me to try I was absolutely thrilled. I was keen to see how it worked on my dry cracked hands, as well as the small patches of eczema. Rhino Repair is completely made from natural ingredients, and contains some serious skin soothers including Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Rosehip and NZ Honey. It can be used on any skin type (yes, even sensitive), and it can even be used on babies; it’s just that gentle!

Rhino Repair comes in two sizes, a 50ml Travel Size (which I have) and the 150ml Family Size. The cream is quite thick, but surprisingly it’s very easy to blend in and you end up needing less than you think. It’s not oily or greasy, and appears to absorb into the skin fairly quickly. Since I was applying this to my hands, this is really important as I don’t want greasy marks everywhere! The smell of this cream is delicious, and I really wish I was better at describing smells so I could do this one justice! It’s very fresh, and you can really smell the calendula and the lavender.

I noticed after the first time I used this cream that my hands were much softer, smoother and the skin wasn’t chapped or cracked. I only need to apply this once a day (before I go to bed) to keep them in this condition. I’ve also been using it on my legs and I’ve found it helps to calm the itching sensation. The eczema still comes and goes, but using this cream on it makes it a lot more tolerable.

As well as using this for dry skin, Oasis beauty recommend it for calming most skin irritations including sunburn, nappy rash, itchy bites, chapped skin, and even for taking the sting out of shaving. It’s an all-purpose cream that is useful to have on hand year around. Price starts at $17.50 for the travel size and $39.90 for the larger bottle. A good investment, I say!

Products From L’Oreal Paris

Following my last post on new and interesting makeup by Maybeline that’s currently on sale in the US, this one is going to be on the latest offerings from L’Oreal Paris which I do have to say looks a bit more exciting.

Visible Lift Repair Absolute

I’m going to start off with a face product that is getting good reviews. It’s a compact foundation and comes with a sponge applicator. It is packed with skincare ingredients such as Pro-Retinol, ProXylane, Prolastyl, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C. It has an SPF16 and the ingredient list includes Titanium Dioxide which will protect against UVB and short wave UVA rays (zinc oxide is better as that also protects against long wave UVA rays). Apparently, this is one for those whose skin is on the dry side and it offers medium coverage. It’s one of the most expensive foundation L’Oreal Paris do at $14.95. I love the ting of light added to the packaging in the image! You can read more about it here.

L’Oreal Paris Visible Lift Repair Ablsolute

Magic Smooth Souffle Blush

Next up is a blush that is getting even better reviews. It’s ‘air whipped’ and claims to give a ‘natural flush’. It only comes in 4 shades which include two rosy ones, a plum and a coral. I think this looks great for older skins so fingers crossed we get to see it in the UK. It costs $12.95 and you can read more here.

L’Oreal Paris Magic Smooth Souffle Blush

Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate

Last up is a skincare product. Out of all the L’Oreal Paris skincare ranges Youth Code is the one I’ve found nicest to use. However, I’m not sure I buy into all of its claims as I’m cynical about anti ageing claims generally. What’s interesting about this product is that it’s the drugstore equivalent of Lancome’s Visionnaire. Both products contain LR2412 (Youth Code at 2% and Visionnaire at 4%), which is a newish active ingredient developed by L’Oreal Research. The Youth Code product claims to visibly tighten pores, diminish lines and reveal petal soft skin. However, it does contain silicone which can give a Cinderella effect of making skin look good. Personally, I think this sounds like it would make a good primer for foundation with possible skincare benefits as well. The US price is $24.99 and you see it here.

Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate.

VS Cocoa Butter Sensuous Escape Body Mist

Since we're not getting Bath & Body Works here in Hawaii until March 2011, my go-to destination for aimless bath product browsing is Victoria's Secret. (Yes, I frequent Sephora on the regular, but don't you  have those days when you're all, "I just want to buy a $9 body spray, dammit?")

Now, I know I used to crap on Victoria's Secret Beauty--I was bummed when they revamped and pulled outside beauty lines from the stores, and I still won't go near the obnoxious Pink and Beauty Rush displays--but I seem to be softening up in my old age. I no longer turn up my nose at the Vanilla Lace and Heavenly of my high school locker days.

In fact, I've been indulging in various guilty VS pleasures quite a bit lately. You all know that I love the Secret Moments line, and I have a soft spot for the nostalgic My Little Pony/doll head smell of Luscious Kisses.

My latest obsession is Cocoa Butter Sensuous Escape Deep Nourishing Body Mist. I can't vouch for the nourishing claim, because I don't really use this for any moisturizing properties--I use it because it smells pretty. It smells like cocoa butter, or a reasonable facsimile of what you'd expect cocoa butter to smell like; creamy, non-floral, slightly coconutty. It's softer, smoother and less harsh than many of the fruity-floral overload scents from VS. It's light enough to spray all over your bod (I like a little in my hair, too) and layers nicely with fragrances on the tropical side.

Pretty much, Sensuous Escape body mist makes you smell like you've been slathering yourself with a really expensive body cream. Yep, that's the best way to describe it: it smells like luxurious, softly scented body cream.

And it's $9 at practically any mall in the country. Can't beat that!

Review: Ogx Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil

When I ran out of my trusty Macadamia Natural Healing Oil Treatment, I quickly opened feelunique.com to buy another bottle of it. Instead I ended up buying the Ogx Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil, which has become my go-to hair product. The oil looks like liquid gold in the packaging and it adds a rich glossiness to the hair. And the scent! Ahhh.....the scent! It smells like a walk by the Mediterranean ocean on warm sunny day.

The Argan oil has a silicone-y texture and it tames frizz and flyaways while adding a beautiful shine to the locks. It's lightweight, non-sticky and provides moisture without weighing hair down. I apply a dime-sized portion while my hair is still wet and blow dry it. This hair-smoothening product adds body and shine while leaving the hair looking healthy.

You only need a small amount of the product or it can leave your hair looking greasy. You can use it as a pre-styling or post-styling product. Avoid applying it near the roots and work it through the lengths of the hair and make sure the ends are well moisturised. It comes in an easy-to-dispense bottle which is dinky and travel-friendly. If you are looking for a hair serum that adds vibrancy and injects a serious dose of shine, this one's for you. This product works well on all hair types. This de-frizzing dynamo has certainly become my hair's new best friend! 

Coming Attraction: Bobbi Brown Valentine's Day Collection for Spring 2016

Bobbi Brown is introducing a new enticing red and pink collection this spring. I remember her pink and red collection from 2013. Now, three years later, we can celebrate these stunning colors once again.

Bobbi's new collection, inspired by Valentine's Day, presents an unconventional approach to the traditional color palette with a collection that isn't about matching your lips and nails, but rather deliberately mismatching them. These pinks and hot reds are a modern mix for a look that's wearable and "kissable." The new collection presents shades of Rich Lip Color, Lip Gloss, and Nail Polish.

The Rich Lip Color ($27), a lightweight, full-color lipstick, delivers bold color and rich hydration with a smooth feel. Two colors are available in the collection: Blazing Red and Ibira Pink.

The Lip Gloss ($26) will sweeten your lips with a high-shine dose of pink or red. Bobbi's lip gloss treats your lips to soothing botanical extracts, including avocado and jojoba, to keep them looking soft and supple. The new shades are Pink Lily and Hollywood Red.

The Nail Polish ($15) will add a splash of flirty colors to your fingers and toes. The shades in this collection are Pink Peony and Cherry Tomato.

The Valentine's Day Collection will be available at Bobbi Brown's Web site beginning next month. I assume it will also be available at Bobbi Brown's Department and Specialty Store counters too.

Vega Silky 2 in 1 Epilator VHES-01 Review

Hi girls,

What a day! I mean I really have my doubts on some companies’ R & D. This is my third epilator in life; you can check how nice my Philips and Remington epilators have been to me on IMBB. This was a cheap purchase. I thought of giving this Indian brand a try. Have look at how it shocked me!

Price: Rs.1620

Features:

2 head epilator & Shaver

Smooth and close shave

2 speed setting

on/off switch

8 hour charging time

35 min operation time

220-240V, 50Hz

Universal Voltage

2 yrs warranty

My Experience with Vega Silky 2 in 1 Epilator VHES-01:

Girls, gear up, this might be the most awful gadget of the year for me. I have been so lucky to buy some excellent stuff from IMBB points. I love my hair hot rollers and epilator from Philips. Now when I saw Vega has a new epilator, I thought, okay how wrong can this go? I am sure it will take the time to charge but will do its job well. I was so wrong!

This epilator only looks cute. I could ignore the 8 hours charge time and the 35-minute playtime. I could also ignore how deeply set the epilator is from the surface. I could ignore how that extra cap for sensitive areas did not fit in well. But, how could I ignore that this epilator is so wrongly made that it did not pluck out one single hair!!!!!! Yes, take my word for it, this is my third epilator and it does not do anything. Simply will not tweeze!

I charged it for 8 hours thinking I may be wrong. The tweezers are so rough on the skin that it is more than a disaster. The epilator is on the heavier side which is totally okay with me, but the tweezers are awful, where do I begin!