Himalaya Herbal Nourishing Skin Cream

Again, another whim purchase when I was in Singapore back in July.  I saw it being sold at around SGD6 (or less, can't remember exact amount) in Singapore and decided to get it since I was having issues with dry and flaky skin back then.    Well, it does say that it is All Day Moisturizing with Aloe Vera and Winter Cherry.

It's description:
Nourishes, Moisturizes and Protects
A light and non-greasy daily use cream, to keep you skin healthy and supple.  Aloe Vera nourishes and moisturizes, while Winter Cherry and Indian Kin Tree protect the skin from pollution and dry weather.

Direction: Massage gently on cleansed body, face and neck.

Of course, I do have some qualms when it comes to getting cream because my skin can't really tolerate a whole lot of creams and tends to veer more towards lotion types instead.  However, I couldn't resist giving it a try as there's aloe vera in it and I've also heard good feedback from friends about the brand Himalaya Herbal.

I know, it seems to be a body moisturiser (I saw the big tub!) and yet, I couldn't resist using it on the face since it does say to be able to use on face ;p

Here's the list of ingredients:

Packaging
It comes in a plastic tub, wider in terms of circumference and shallower in terms of depth.  I kinda like it.  It makes it easier for me to get the cream as it becomes less because I don't have to dig too deep and get all the cream in between my nails (you know what I mean).  I also like that there's a foil included.  I don't have to worry about the cream coming out from the tub, especially when I bring it with me to travel.

Texture
It is cream texture, slightly on the thicker side.  You will need to warm it on your hands before applying onto your face so that it doesn't get  no doubt about it, and it stay true to its description of being non-greasy.  It is actually quite light and absorbs rather quickly into the skin.  Because it's non-greasy, I don't have to deal with oily or sticky fingers upon application.  However, you need to have enough for your face to avoid double dipping your fingers as well as stretching and pulling your face trying to put enough onto your skin.

I'm one who tends to avoid using creams on my face because my skin tends to break out (due to some ingredients).  I have to say this nourishing skin cream doesn't and it works well for me.  It is   fast becoming one of my staple skin care for night use.  Although I have quite a number of creams waiting for me, I'm tempted to buy another one when this tub is finished.

I do quite like this nourishing skin.  I sometimes use it on my other body parts too, especially the heels when they end up being neglected and become quite wrinkly and dry :(

Although it is just 50g, it has lasted me for quite a few months.  For the price paid, it is quite a good bargain :)

If you're looking for something that's not too expensive and easily available, I'd recommend this to you =D

Macadamia Oil for Skincare

When I was in Australia back in October 2013, my aunt was telling me about using macadamia oil as moisturiser.  She shared that a friend told her that most of the luxurious skincare uses macadamia oil as part of their ingredients and there's loads of benefits to it.  Intrigued, I decided to buy a bottle home.  I found one at Woolworths at their cooking oil aisle.  Yeap, you heard me right, cooking oil aisle.

A quick check reveals the following that caught my attention:

Palmitoleic acid:  Macadamia contains one of the highest sources of palmitoleic fatty acids.
This is vital for delaying skin and cell aging, ensuring that our skin stays supple.  But as we age, As we age, it decreases and our skin will age rapidly with the loss of it.

Squalene: Rich sources of squalene
Squalene is a naturally occusing antioxidant that's present in our human skin surface lipids.

(info extracted across a few websites: Naturally Curly, Naked Chemist, Mark's Daily 

Of course, there are many more benefits that's listed and you can do further research on them.

Here's what's listed at the back of the bottle:

During that time, I was having some issue with dry cheeks.  It tends to be drier and they get flaky often, so I'd thought that this might help me to deal with it.  From the initial use, I found that:

• not oily nor sticky.  It goes onto my skin easy enough and it doesn't leave any oily residue.  It feels supple and yet, it's your skin (if you know what I mean)
• No overpowering smell.  Macadamia nut has a smell.  All nuts do.  But when I apply this onto my skin, the smell doesn't really stay.  it was a soft smell that goes off probably 5 seconds later.  
• Doesn't cause my skin to feel oily overnight.  I used it at night, and I found that as the night goes on (even before I sleep), it doesn't make my skin feel oily.  Instead, the next morning, my skin feels replenished and it was looking rather natural, without any flakes.

I also tried it on my lips with the balance of the oil on my fingers and when the morning comes, I found that my lips were no longer dry and it feels nice.  The skin on lips were not peeling either when morning comes.  It actually felt more comfortable than applying lip balm for the oiliness disappear once it gets absorbed.

I've been using it a few nights a week and my skin never develop any oil seeds (which sometimes happen with some of the cream based moisturiser that I used).  Instead, I find my skin getting better in terms of moisture level and it doesn't flake as much.

After using it for a few months, I find that I actually look fresher the next morning after use even when it's nights where I don't sleep well.  I find that it gave me the result similar to Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate (MRC) in terms of fresh looking and glow on my skin.  And with a moisturised skin, I find my foundation staying better on my skin and doesn't slide of as easily.

I'm already thinking of asking my friend to get me another bottle of macadamia oil when she comes over.

(purchased at AUD3.99 at Woolworths, 250ml).

Merry Blessed Christmas!

A merry and blessed Christmas to ya all!  It's been a crazy day for me, waking up at 5am and then running around managing the stage for today's Church Celebration.  Although it's been tiring, it's great fun too.  Am blessed to have the opportunity to serve in what I'm skilled at.

I pray and hope that you have a wonderful celebration today.  Not only it's about giving of gifts, but the greatest gift was given to us when God gave us Jesus, born on Christmas Day to redeem the world and to give us life, and life abundantly.

Be blessed everyone!

 

Ungodly hours!  But yea, it was great fun!

This greeted me when I reached the place.  What a pleasant surprise!

In the midst of setting up the stage.

Emcees in action!

 And it's a wrap!

 My tired feet looking worse to wear!  Finally they get to rest

 My cutesy niece with my brother!  She loves her lace headband and smiles cheekily when we call her pretty baby!  Gosh.. only 9 months and already!

All my faourite things!  Love all the gifts received.  Am truly blessed!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Essence with Progressive Release System

I bought this for fun when I was in Singapore a few months back seeing that it only costs SGD12.90 and I find that my skin was feeling dry then.  After using it for a while, I find that this is quickly becoming a staple in my skincare routine.

Based on the description:

This is a pump bottle and I find that a single pump is enough for my face.  It comes out as white lotion that instantly makes my skin feel smooth upon application.  The pump bottle functions well and I've not gotten into any issues with it.

After using it for a couple of months, I find that my skin no longer flakes (yea, I was having some flaky skins cum acne issues earlier due to dehydration of the skin).   The cheek area where my skin tends to feel tighter and drier ceases to feel so.  Instead it felt even more nourished.  With that too, I find that my foundation/ BB cream adheres to my skin better too.  I guess that's because my skin isn't as dry and flaky as compared to previously.

I really like it.  I've tried other essence but I don't find them working as well as this one.  I guess it has to do with the progressive release system, so the hydration stays longer compared to other essence.

When I went to Watsons/Guardian here in KL to check out the prices, I was kinda shocked to see that it costs RM79.90 per bottle.  So, when I was down in Singapore recently, I made a point to visit the store (Beaute Spring - available at Nex Singapore - next to Watsons and also in Bugis area - same row as Burger King) and stock up on it.  Even the sales lady was telling me to buy more and stock up as it's cheaper there.

This definitely will be my must buy items whenever I head down to Singapore. A decent priced item which works well for me =D

Just blogged

Hey ya all,  just blogged at http://dailyfemme.blogspot.com/2013/11/inexpensive-exfoliator-face-towels.html about using face towels as an inexpensive exfoliator.  Do head over there and check it out ya!

DIY: Balloon Bud Vase

Been cracking my head for the deco for the upcoming Logos Graduation Ceremony Luncheon.  We wanted something simple yet beautiful.  So I started googling (thank God for Google!) and found out about the Balloon Bud Vases.

Here's my attempt of them.  I used plastic cups instead of glasses as I find that the friction of the balloons and glasses made it harder and quite a number of balloons were torn due to the friction.  Plastic ones works well.

I used two methods, one as per the link above and the other from here.  Both methods works well.  However, bear in mind, if you are using the 2nd method, don't cut the bottom too wide.  Otherwise you will have problem fitting it nicely and the sides may run up.  That aside, I find that using dark colored balloons made the cups look nicer.  Unless, of course, you have thick enough balloons.  I'm sure it will work out well.

Hope you'll have fun getting your hands on it.  Enjoy this DIY.

Inexpensive exfoliator: Face Towels

It's been a while since I've truly blog.  My blogging mojo is still off, but hopefully things will get back in a swing in a bit.

My skin hasn't been all that good since earlier this year, and it does annoy the heck out of me.   The cheeks area were flaky and yet, pimples still occasionally pop out around my t-zone and  lower chin area.  I was at a loss to what to do.  

I came across Paris B's entry on the use of face towel and it reminded me of the time I was using face towel back in the heyday (think primary and high school times).  I didn't put much mind to it though.  Nonetheless, a couple of weeks ago, I was just telling  my aunt that my skin was getting crankier of late and she suggested to use face towel as well.  I guess no harm giving it a try right?   So off I went to dig through my cupboard to look for those few face towels that I knew were lying around somewhere.

(Pictures from Indiamart)

Well, it's been a week since I started using it and I could already see a difference.  It's not miraculous, but I could see that my skin is much clearer and it isn't as flaky.  I also notice that the blackheads on my nose area were reduced too.  I find that overall, there's this clarity to my skin and it doesn't look as dull too.  I believe that the gentle exfoliation through the use of face towels allowed my skin to better absorb my serums and moisturisers and thus, giving the face what it needs to be better.  What a change a simple routine could do to one's face!  I'm impressed and I guess, age long method does work wonders.  

How to use?

At the start, I used the face towel to gently wipe my face twice a day (morning and evening during shower times).   During the evening shower, I would place more emphasis around my nose and the side of my mouth to try to exfoliate the blackheads (it works).  As my cheeks were flaky, I would also wipe it, but upwards, so that I don't pull my skin down.

After a few days, I've now moved on to pat my face with the face towel during the morning and do the wiping motion in the evening.  Don't be harsh when you're doing the wiping motion.  Just lightly wipe all over your face one time (don't go back and wipe the same spot a few times) and then rinse it and wipe to dry the second time.

Frequency of change

I don't have a lot of face towels at home (trying to remedy it) so what I do is to use the towels for two days and wash it.  What I do is to really rinse it well after use and hang it near the window so that it can air dry and sun dry for the next use.  I don't recommend using it for more than 2 days.  Then again, this is me and maybe you have other ways (or maybe like Paris B, change on a daily basis?)

I'd recommend you to give it a try =D  It does save you from buying and trying out the variety of exfoliators out there (though, it's no harm using it alongside towel, maybe once a week)