UPDATE: Skinlycious, Aztec Indian Healing Clay, Kinohimitsu BB Drink

Hi guys,

I'm glad to check back and say that I am really satisfied with Skinlycious' products, they have helped me tremendously. I've even repurchased the Anti-Acne bundle for the second time. The products last me about a month plus to 2 months! It may last longer for some of you, but I'm quite kiasu so the first month I didn't know how to control my usage. Lol. Anyway, my skin is less oily now, and I haven't even used up the 7-in-1 Pore Refining Serum.

Current skincare routine

AM:
Skinlycious Anti-Acne Wash
Skinlycious Anti-Acne Solution (Dab on spots and hyperpigmentation)
Hiruscar Post-Acne Gel (On hyperpigmentation as well)
Skinlycious 7-in-1 Pore Refining Serum (if I'm heading out) or Skinlycious Hydrator Serum (if my skin is feeling slightly drier) or The Skin Pharmacy's Oil-free moisturiser (if I'm staying at home because this moisturise doesn't mix well with my make up! It makes my foundation roll up into tiny balls)
Atomy Sunscreen
Urban Decay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation (2 small drops are enough)
Maybelline Mineral Concealer (I'm gonna purchase the Laura Mercier SC Concealer soon, will review soon!)

If I worked out in the afternoon, I'll wash my face with The Skin Pharmacy's Deep Cleansing Amino Powder and repeat the steps above without the foundation.

PM:
Atomy Evening Deep Cleanser on dry skin to remove my makeup
Atomy Evening Care Foam Cleanser on days I wear heavier makeup or Skinlycious Anti-Acne Wash
Skinlycious Anti-Acne Solution (Dab on spots and hyperpigmentation)
Hiruscar Post-Acne Gel (On hyperpigmentation as well)
Skinlycious Hydrator Serum or The Skin Pharmacy's Hydrating Overnight Mask (which is essentially a thicker gel-like moisturiser)

Extra care:
PMD weekly
Clariancy Calla Cleanse, every night
Aztec Healing Clay Mask, depending on how my skin is feeling or Homemade Honey Mask

ALSO, I need to say this. The Aztec Indian Healing Clay Mask is amazing. I used to purchase the Anti-Acne Clay Mask from The Skin Pharmacy but stopped after I got myself a big tub of Aztec mask, which is basically 100% Calcium Bentonite. It is cheap and effective. I try to do it 3-4 times a week as I find that doing it frequently actually helps to keep my skin under control. I tried to do it less frequently but I broke out (say 1 or 2 spots, especially when the time of the month is near) more. It really does help to shrink your pores, and dry out existing acne. I had this large lump on my jaw and after dabbing the clay mask overnight for 3 days straight, it flattened itself out totally. Of course, the surrounding area will be slightly dry and also a little 'scabby' but it's definitely not an issue as it the 'scab' will fall off when your pimple recovers and it falls off when you're washing your face, so you wouldn't even notice it. It also doesn't leave any dark pigmentation!

So recently, I picked at a spot (AGAIN, bad habit I know) and ended up with a bit of a sore area which was weeping a little. I placed the clay on the area, and placed a wet gauze over it, changing it every few hours or so. The wound stopped weeping and a thin scab formed nicely over the wound. I continued for the next day and some of the scab actually fell off, leaving no harsh pigmentation.

They suggest mixing the clay with Apple Cider Vinegar, but I like that it gives room for creative recipes so you can whip up something according to your skin condition of the day. What I like to do is to substitute ACV for a bit of lemon juice (something which is acidic actually gives the clay a smoother texture and it become less chunky, thus easier to apply), add 3-4 drops of tea tree oil, 1 drop of lavender oil if I want to relax, then fill up the remaining water content with brewed green tea. If my skin is feeling extra tight that day, I'd add a dollop of honey and I'm all set.

On days when my skin feels more 'thirsty', I'll take a teaspoon for Manuka Honey, add a few drops of lemon juice (for hyperpigmentation), 2-3 drops of Tea Tree Oil, mix it up to a smooth consistency and apply it all over my face. It gets pretty messy so I like to wrap a small piece of gauze at my jaw area to prevent the honey from dripping down! I leave it on for as long as I am able to, usually 40mins-1 hour. It leaves my skin feeling nourished, and lighten any redness and pigmentation.

I'm also currently drink the Kinohimitsu BB drink! For the last month, I was drinking the J'Pan Collagen drink but switched to the BB drink as I've read that it was more suitable for oily, acne-prone skin. I find that my acne heals faster, although it won't completely prevent you from having acne. My hyperpigmentation lightens faster and my pores feel tighter. My overall skin tone looks brighter as well!

Anyway, after typing this post, I realised the woes of being a woman. I spend a fortune to make myself look better UGHS.

x
A

Acne Help, Skinlycious Products Review

I have been using The Skin Pharmacy's products for about 4 months now and although they did help ease my acne situation, I was still getting red bumps here and there, at random spots on my face. Sometimes they would transform into full blown bumps under the skin. I suspect my outbreak was caused by the rough exfoilation of the GlamGlow Tinglexfoiliate Mask and SK-II Facial Treatment Essence as pointed out by my GP. It's sad because I really loved the SK-II Facial Treatment Masks. They are sadly too rich for people with Acne-prone skin. I now stick to 'OIL-FREE' everything. Lol.

I was so helpless that I almost made an appointment at one of those famous aesthetic clinics because my friends had seen good results. People around me are starting to recommend me products and giving me that look of disdain when they see my face. 'Your face outbreak ah?', 'Your skin not good leh.' are some comments I received. I was depressed, and I cried. A LOT that is. Those words would just replay in my mind and tears would just start streaming down. I am really not exaggerating, that was how bad it was. I didn't want to go out and I was desperate for a solution. 

One day, my stars aligned and I came across the Facebook ad by Skinlycious. I know, the name doesn't sound professional and the brand is unheard of. But I was desperate and I was willing to try anything. Of course I did some background reading and checks before I placed my first order. I initially ordered their 7-in-1 Pore Refining Serum because I actually just restocked my TSP products (and they cost me a bomb). I also requested for a sample of Skinlycious' Anti-Acne Solution which they kindly added into my order. 

I received these 2 products on the 4th of March and started using them together with my TSP products. I remembered clearly that I just returned home from teaching tuition that Wednesday night and found a large painful bump growing on my chin, so I was like, 'YAY let's put Skinlycious products to the test!' I dabbed the Anti-Acne solution on the spot and followed up with a moisturiser. Woke up the next morning and realised that the bump wasn't as large and painful anymore. AMAZING. I also noticed that my face did not oil up as fast when I used the Pore Refining Serum. 

'Okay, these products might actually work.' I was excited to see the results and I dropped Jasmine, their founder, an email to ask how should I incorporate her products into my current routine as I still have a bunch of newly bought TSP products sitting in my cupboard. She suggested that I finish up my current products and switch over to their Anti-Acne bundle, which includes their Cleanser, Anti-Acne Solution and Hydrator. However, being the impatient person that I am, I decided to go ahead and purchase the products nonetheless. I received my full set on the 10th of March,

I started using the products religiously and guess what? My redness, bumps and clogged pores improved tremendously after 3 days, I am not even kidding. People around me started telling me how much better my skin has gotten. Of course I still have a bit of clogged pores around my jawline and hyperpigmentation but the acne situation as gotten under control. I only get some very tiny bumps and the larger ones subsided within a day or two. I can actually go out without makeup now and my skin looks fine. I am hoping that with continued usage, I can achieve acne-free skin!

Of course the Anti-Acne Solution IS drying and may cause some peeling, but nothing a good hydrator cant fix. My skin is very very thin and delicate and these products work well for me. When I say a major improvement, it really is. I used to go through a box of 3M Acne Patches within 3-4 days but now I only need one or two a day. SIDE NOTE: These little patches are amazing for those annoying tiny bumps! I do also dab a little Differin prescribed by my GP at night for a little extra oomph, so far my skin is holding up well.

I am really glad I found these products and for anyone of you suffering from acne, do check out Skinlycious' products. I am almost certain you'll love it as much as I do.

I know it might to too early to say this but I am certain the products really do work as I saw the transformation myself. I'll try to post some photos when I have time! Perseverance and the right products really pays off. I'm thankful that my boyfriend motivates me throughout this whole ordeal and when I get depressed, he does his best to distract me from thinking negatively. I also started doing yoga daily and it helps refresh my mind.

P.S: Not an advertorial, as I am no blogger. I'm just sharing my experience and hopefully able to help people with the same situation!

With love,

A

Thoughts on Acne

It has been awhile since I updated the space, and I cleared out a whole bunch of old skincare since then. I suffered a minor outbreak, and let's just say that some products do take a while for it to work its effects (be it good or bad).

I'm currently using The Skin Pharmacy's Anti-Acne range and a few beauty tools, both have helped to control my breakouts significantly. I'm now left to deal with the aftermath of an outbreak - hyperpigmentation. Thankfully, I don't have any pitted scars but just really dark hyperpigmentations left. They look especially hideous against my fair skin ughs :( But I still believe that I'm on my way to good skin!

I'm still working on my lengthy review on TSP's products (which are all natural btw) but today I just felt like sharing my thoughts about having acne-prone skin.

IT.IS.A.NIGHTMARE. On good skin days, my skin looks absolutely flawless. On bad skin days, I look horrible. And the worst part about it is, I really have no idea when I'll have good/bad skin. Sometimes, it's almost feels like you go to bed with good skin and wake up with horrible pimples popping out everywhere.

Previously, I was dealing with very bad clogged pores due to harsh exfoiliating products but my skin looks fine from afar because those fleshy bumps aren't that obvious. But when I washed my face, it was never smooth to touch. I get those obnoxious blind pimples that are underneath my skin.  Now that I'm almost 90% cleared of my clogged pores but with heavy hyperpigmentation, people are commenting that 'Omg! You have a very bad outbreak ah! Why ah!'

It makes me very annoyed because:
1) you don't know my skin better than me
2) you don't see me everyday so you can't comment on how bad my outbreak is
3) SENSITIVITY GUYS. SENSITIVITY.

Folks like us, who aren't born with flawless & poreless complexions, know it ourselves. It's not like we are not doing anything to help with ourselves. WE ARE. We spend tons of money on dermatological treatments, facials, products, vitamins, supplements etc. Name it, and we know it. We spend countless hours reading up forums on product reviews, taking plunges on new products, each time hoping that it will work for us. We know when our skin is experiencing a bad time and you do not have to rub it in. Most of the time, we are already trying our best to meet people and be normal. Our self-confidence is already at an all-time low and you do not have to make us feel even worse about ourselves.

Of course, I'm not saying that you go around complimenting people who are currently suffering from a bad skin period that they have good skin, as that wouldn't do any good either. If you have nothing nice to say, please just say nothing at all.

Maybe you have a friend whom you met time to time, and you notice that he/she is currently going through an outbreak. It is definitely a nice gesture if you make an effort not to comment on their skin condition as more often than not, we'd rather hide at home than to go out with a hideous complexion. We'd definitely appreciate your tiny effort. Or if you see that friend in a few weeks' time and you definitely saw an improvement in their complexion, go ahead and compliment them. 'Hey your skin improved so much!' will make their day, for sure. They will even appreciate your friendship, and thank you for your sensitivity towards their feelings.

I just hope that everyone out there learns to be more sensitive towards people with skin conditions, be it acne, eczema or rosacea because we know our condition best and are already trying our best to treat our skin. It is a long battle to treat such skin conditions and we are already very self-conscious, so please be nice to people around you suffering from it :)

Cheers!

Glam Glow - Is it really worth the hype?

UPDATE (24/10/15): I have found the GlamGlow YouthMud to be TOO ABRASIVE for my skin and had been a contributing factor to my breakouts a while ago. However, the GlamGlow Supermud is indeed fairly effective. But for the price point of both products, you're much better off getting a tub of Aztec Indian Healing Clay Mask off iherb. Trust me, that's more effective :)

 After reading tons and tons of reviews on the GlamGlow masks for months, I caved in and bought these babies. I initially wanted the GlamGlow Supermud mask, but it was out of stock in EVERY SINGLE Sephora store here in Singapore. The SA told me that the closest to the Supermud was the Youthmud, and they were having a 15% discount for it until the end of October, so I picked it up anyway.

A few days ago (in early November... That was how long I took to complete this post haha), I received a mailer from Sephora and guess what! The Supermud mask has been restocked! Yipeeeee. Received a 10% discount together with my Sephora Black card upgrade, so I just went ahead with the purchase. I even got a deluxe size Thirstymud sample and a Brightmud sample. NOT A BAD DEAL.

Let's start with the Youthmud review! (rubs palms together)

Firstly, the Youthmud smells DIVINE, to me at least. The scent smells luxurious, it's a very fresh green tea scent which I major love. I feel very relaxed and pampered when I use it, like I'm indeed at a facial. The texture of the Youthmud is gritty, and its full of green tea chunks. I know many people have had issues with it falling out when the mask has dried up, but I haven't experienced it thus far. I apply a thin layer with a synthetic foundation brush and I find that I use less product but just enough to cover my face this way.

I must say, the first time I went Sephora to check the mask out, the SA smeared some on the back of my hand and my skin actually BURNED. After she cleansed it, the portion where the mask was left on was actually red. She scooped a fair bit of sample from the pot for me to try, so despite the burning sensation I felt on my hand, I went back home and slapped the mask on excitedly. I must say the burning sensation wasn't actually THAT BAD on my face. It was tingly enough, I mean hey it's called 'tinglexfoliate mask' for a reason right. Went back the next day and purchased the full size jar... I think I actually have a dying need to get what I want no matter what happens hahaha.

I would say, steer clear from this mask if you have very very sensitive skin. You definitely would not like the burning sensation. It does get better with subsequent uses though. It gives you this lovely glow for about 2 days? So it is good as an 'emergency facial' if you have an event or a night out, but is unable to fork out extra time to head down to the facial parlour. In fact, I do love this mask more than the Supermud, just because the results are fairly instant.


Next, lo and behold the most coveted mask of all, the Supermud mask.

I have heard so many good things about this, probably made me expect much more from it. Firstly, I DO NOT like the smell. It smells a little like sour plum and licorice and what not. Definitely not my cup of tea. I know everyone has been raving about how it actually sucks the gunk out of your pores and you could actually see it with its revolutionary POREMATRIX technology. It just feels gratifying to see those black dots and you'll be like YES GOT YOU NASTIES OUT!

What I do feel about the Supermud as a full face mask, is that it does slightly close your pores and clears those gunks that are nearer to the surface of the skin, and in fact is much gentler as compared to the Youthmud, as it is less gritty. However, it leaves my skin a little dry when I'm done with the maximum 20 minutes treatment. I always make sure to follow up with a slightly better moisturiser to keep my skin hydrated.

BUT WAIT FOR IT.

What I really love about the Supermud is to use it as: A SPOT TREATMENT!

Each time I feel that a nasty blind pimple is coming up, or if I start to break out a little after a massive workout session, I'll dab the Supermud on those angry spots and they will subside the next morning! Major love.


Which would I recommend then?
If you do not have acne-prone skin and your skin is not sensitive, go for the Youthmud as it gives you a glow that you can be addicted to.
If you have acne-prone and oily skin, go for the Supermud! You can not only use it as a weekly mask, but also as a super effective spot treatment.


With that being said, these aren't products that I think you would have to run out to grab one to add it into your routine, but it's nice to have. Moreover at SGD$92 per bottle, it doesn't come cheap at all. But let me know remind you that as of 21 November, both the Youthmud and Supermud are SOLD OUT at all Sephora outlets again. (Secretly thankful I got mine...) Fret not! Tangs and escentials @ Paragon do carry them so for those of you who are interested in getting your hands on one, do check those stores out!

With love,
A