Review: Yes To Carrots Eye Can C Clearly Now Eye Contour Cream
2 Comments Posted by Tine on Sep 19, 2008 at 8:40 AM.
I first saw the Yes To Carrots range at Target a few months ago. The quirky names of the products intrigued me, and when Priceline started selling Yes To Carrots products at introductory prices with a 15% discount, I thought I'd give the eye cream and hair mask (which I will review very soon) a go.
Description:
Let's start with the texture of the cream. It doesn't feel light and creamy; in fact, it's just a tad curd-like. Just a tiny scrape of the cream would do to be applied just below the eyes and on the lids. I'm not really sure exactly what it smells like. It doesn't smell like carrots, but then again, I'm not a fan of carrot juice so I wouldn't be too sure.
Did it work for me? I'd say yes, at first. The fragile skin below my eyes felt more taut, although it did not reduce the lines. The skin also felt more moisturised (not as dry as before). But after a couple of weeks of using the cream, the sides of my eyes (where the *gulp* crow's feet are) started to itch. I can't be 100% certain that it was due to the eye cream, but when I stopped using it, the itching stopped. Dodgy? Hmm ... I don't know.
To be honest, I don't really know what this eye cream is for (yes yes, you can thump me for buying something I know nothing about). It does not proclaim to reduce lines or dark circles, which most, if not all, eye creams do. I'm still hesitant in agreeing it to be a contour cream because I don't see any physical evidence of contouring. But I will say that it kept the dry skin moisturised.
The eye cream is paraben-free, which is good, isn't it, given the hype and all that these days. What is also good is that it contains niacinamide, which is also known as vitamin B3. Topical application of niacinamide has been shown to increase ceramide and free fatty acid levels in skin, preventing skin from losing water content, and stimulate microcirculation in the dermis*.
I'm not giving up on this cream just yet. Heck, there's 50ml of it, which will take me AGES to finish. I shall update you on this product a few more months down the line.
Oh, and when Mum said that carrots are good for your eyes, she meant your actual EYES. Not the skin around it. I'm just sayin'. :p
Yes To Carrots Eye Can C Clearly Now Eye Contour Cream is available at Priceline and Target.
What I like about it: Moisturised the under-eye area; big tub of eye cream at a low price (compared to other brands' tiny 15-30ml jars).
What I did not like about it: No physical evidence of any contouring as proclaimed.
*Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 7th Edition, pg 1128
Description:
You never believed your mom when she said carrots were good for your eyes. Our Eye can C Clearly Now moisture rich Eye Contour Cream will have you believing differently.
A gentle spring water based Eye Contour Cream with organic carrot juice, organic cucumber juice and 26 Dead Sea Minerals.
WARNING: You may smile more often as a result of using this product!
Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Cucumis Sativa (Cucumber) Water, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Juice, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dead Sea Water (Maris Aqua), Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Cetyl Alcohol, Peg-40 Stearate, Chamomila Recutita (Chamomile) Extract, Sorbitan Tristearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance (Parfum), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, Silt (Maris Limus), Niacinamide, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Peel Extract.
Let's start with the texture of the cream. It doesn't feel light and creamy; in fact, it's just a tad curd-like. Just a tiny scrape of the cream would do to be applied just below the eyes and on the lids. I'm not really sure exactly what it smells like. It doesn't smell like carrots, but then again, I'm not a fan of carrot juice so I wouldn't be too sure.
Did it work for me? I'd say yes, at first. The fragile skin below my eyes felt more taut, although it did not reduce the lines. The skin also felt more moisturised (not as dry as before). But after a couple of weeks of using the cream, the sides of my eyes (where the *gulp* crow's feet are) started to itch. I can't be 100% certain that it was due to the eye cream, but when I stopped using it, the itching stopped. Dodgy? Hmm ... I don't know.
To be honest, I don't really know what this eye cream is for (yes yes, you can thump me for buying something I know nothing about). It does not proclaim to reduce lines or dark circles, which most, if not all, eye creams do. I'm still hesitant in agreeing it to be a contour cream because I don't see any physical evidence of contouring. But I will say that it kept the dry skin moisturised.
The eye cream is paraben-free, which is good, isn't it, given the hype and all that these days. What is also good is that it contains niacinamide, which is also known as vitamin B3. Topical application of niacinamide has been shown to increase ceramide and free fatty acid levels in skin, preventing skin from losing water content, and stimulate microcirculation in the dermis*.
I'm not giving up on this cream just yet. Heck, there's 50ml of it, which will take me AGES to finish. I shall update you on this product a few more months down the line.
Oh, and when Mum said that carrots are good for your eyes, she meant your actual EYES. Not the skin around it. I'm just sayin'. :p
Yes To Carrots Eye Can C Clearly Now Eye Contour Cream is available at Priceline and Target.
What I like about it: Moisturised the under-eye area; big tub of eye cream at a low price (compared to other brands' tiny 15-30ml jars).
What I did not like about it: No physical evidence of any contouring as proclaimed.
*Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 7th Edition, pg 1128
For the past week, I've been having problems with my skin. I had a lot of reddish, dry bumps on my chin, which was spreading to the right cheek. They certainly were not pimples. Initially I thought I was having shingles, as I was feeling under the weather during that time (when I had chicken pox in 2003, I was given steroids as meds, but the doctor said in taking those, I would be highly susceptible to contracting shingles). The husband checked the bumps, and ruled out shingles. He thought it could be facial warts (eeeuuuww).
The red bumps were itchy and dry and was spreading to the cheek. To relieve the itchiness and in hopes to get rid of the red bumps, I tried a tea tree ointment. In 5 days, the bumps were gone. The area is still dry with flaky skin, but at least the bumps were going away. I'm now keeping the dry area sufficiently moisturised, and I reckon the flaky bits should go away in a bit.
So when things go wrong with you skin,
1. Stop using makeup. If you need light coverage, use a light, tinted moisturiser. If you really, really have to use makeup, use mineral makeup, but sparingly. But I'd still recommend you not to until your skin clears up.
2. Keep your skincare routine as simple as possible. Stop using serums and/or your night cream for a while. Keep it as light and simple as possible. It's also good to not use toner on the affected areas, as certain toners can be drying to the skin, especially alcohol-based toner.
3. Use a very gentle cleanser on your face, nothing dry or moisture-stripping. I highly recommend Cetaphil. It cleanses your skin very gently.
4. If you're having a flare-up of pimples, do give tea-tree oil a go. I don't recommend using pure tea tree oil unless it's directed by your dermatologist. You wouldn't want something so strong on your skin, at least, not on your face. Try an ointment or gel instead. It's less concentrated, but still does the job.
5. Keep your hands as clean as possible. Do keep a bottle of hand sanitiser on your dresser. I normally use this before I apply makeup. Bear in mind though, if you're one to use a lot of hand sanitisers, remember to use hand cream as well. Hand sanitisers contain alcohol and can be very drying to the skin.
Right now, I'm looking for a good Vitamin E cream to apply on the area because the bumps and flaky skin were giving my skin slight blemishes and discolouration. Any suggestions? :)
The red bumps were itchy and dry and was spreading to the cheek. To relieve the itchiness and in hopes to get rid of the red bumps, I tried a tea tree ointment. In 5 days, the bumps were gone. The area is still dry with flaky skin, but at least the bumps were going away. I'm now keeping the dry area sufficiently moisturised, and I reckon the flaky bits should go away in a bit.
So when things go wrong with you skin,
1. Stop using makeup. If you need light coverage, use a light, tinted moisturiser. If you really, really have to use makeup, use mineral makeup, but sparingly. But I'd still recommend you not to until your skin clears up.
2. Keep your skincare routine as simple as possible. Stop using serums and/or your night cream for a while. Keep it as light and simple as possible. It's also good to not use toner on the affected areas, as certain toners can be drying to the skin, especially alcohol-based toner.
3. Use a very gentle cleanser on your face, nothing dry or moisture-stripping. I highly recommend Cetaphil. It cleanses your skin very gently.
4. If you're having a flare-up of pimples, do give tea-tree oil a go. I don't recommend using pure tea tree oil unless it's directed by your dermatologist. You wouldn't want something so strong on your skin, at least, not on your face. Try an ointment or gel instead. It's less concentrated, but still does the job.
5. Keep your hands as clean as possible. Do keep a bottle of hand sanitiser on your dresser. I normally use this before I apply makeup. Bear in mind though, if you're one to use a lot of hand sanitisers, remember to use hand cream as well. Hand sanitisers contain alcohol and can be very drying to the skin.
Right now, I'm looking for a good Vitamin E cream to apply on the area because the bumps and flaky skin were giving my skin slight blemishes and discolouration. Any suggestions? :)
Labels: Skin
A package came in the mail for me today. At the back, the name of the sender was stamped Clinique. This was weird, because I didn't buy anything from the Clinique Australia website. And then I remembered about an online promotion Clinique was having some time ago where I had to fill in details about my skin condition and that they'd send me a sample of the 3-step skincare. I was already using Clinique's 3-step skincare, but you know I can't miss getting a freebie :p
It was from one of those random Clinique surveys which popped up when I was surfing Beauty Heaven, and I totally forgot about it until today.
So there ya go, my freebie of the day.
The box was pretty small, measuring about 6 x 2.5 x 0.75 inches. I thought the samples probably came in small sachets, like most samples do, but I was very surprised to see this.
Don't they look like medicine foil? Funny, isn't it?
I've never seen samples packaged that way before. I'm going to bring this with me when I'm traveling. With two foils, I've got at least a week's supply of the skincare products. Just pop the foil and use. Easy peasy.
I'm not sure if the Clinique Australia website is still doing the promotion. It doesn't hurt to check it out and fill in your details when you sign up with Club Clinique. You might have freebies coming your way too! :)
It was from one of those random Clinique surveys which popped up when I was surfing Beauty Heaven, and I totally forgot about it until today.
So there ya go, my freebie of the day.
The box was pretty small, measuring about 6 x 2.5 x 0.75 inches. I thought the samples probably came in small sachets, like most samples do, but I was very surprised to see this.
Don't they look like medicine foil? Funny, isn't it?
I've never seen samples packaged that way before. I'm going to bring this with me when I'm traveling. With two foils, I've got at least a week's supply of the skincare products. Just pop the foil and use. Easy peasy.
I'm not sure if the Clinique Australia website is still doing the promotion. It doesn't hurt to check it out and fill in your details when you sign up with Club Clinique. You might have freebies coming your way too! :)
Labels: Skin
I nicked this tag off Beautychick101's blog. I enjoy reading what products work for others and what they do to stay healthy and beautiful, but it's not everyday that we reveal OUR makeup or skincare boo boos. After all, we're only human, right? So I thought I'd have a little fun with this.My Five Must-NOT Have Items
1. Nivea skincare products - I could be generalising here, but so far, NONE of the skincare products (except for the body lotions) by Nivea works on me. My skin breaks out easily after using Nivea products. I really don't understand why.
2. Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum - This did nothing for me at all. And now I'm stuck with a white elephant in my cupboard. Does anybody want to take this off my hands? For free?* :p
3. Cocoa butter - I know this is good for the skin, but I steer clear of this because I cannot stand the smell of cocoa butter. Once, when I was in Japan, I applied this before heading to work, and my colleagues commented that I smelt bad. Ugh.
4. Nail polish on my fingernails - I love a good pedicure, and pretty coloured toemails, but I can't have nail polish on my fingernails. I spent ages putting it on only to end up smudging them later. I could never be able to paint them on nicely, and 5 minutes later, they'd be chipped. It's frustrating, I tell ya. That was the reason I wore gloves the whole time at my wedding. No need for lovely manicures which I'm sure to muck up.
5. Bright blue eyeshadow - I did a stint of this when I was in Japan. Just smacked the blue on my lids, with hardly any blending. Looking back the photographs, it looked positively GHASTLY with my washed-out face. Now I stick to very subtle blues, or mix it with a little shimmery yellow to soften the colours. Geez, what was I thinking back then?!
My Five Biggest Makeup/Skincare Crimes
1. Over-tweezing my eyebrows - this is a big boo boo of mine. I can't seem to keep my itchy hands off my brows, and more often than not, I over-tweeze one side. Pathetic attempts on salvaging the other side to match the mucked up side just makes everything worse.
2. I'm pretty lazy with eyecreams. I have loads of 'em, but I always forget to apply 'em. One day it's on, five days off, oops-I-forgot-about-it, put it on again. Etc etc.
3. Lack of care to my feet - I'm terrible at this. I know I should apply foot cream on my dry and cracked heels every night, but I'm just too bone-lazy to do so. My poor feet screams of dryness all the time.
4. I put sunscreen on my face religiously, but not on my arms and legs *gulp*
5. Sometimes I pick at my blackheads when I'm bored - this is a huge NO NO, people. As much as you can, leave the blackhead removal to the professionals.
Now I'd like to know what Paris, Beetrice, Geekchic, Fashion Asia and Pretty Beautiful are going to reveal about their own makeup/skincare mistakes ;)
*I'm afraid I can only send this to you when I'm back in Malaysia in September as I don't have it with me right now. If you're interested, just give me a holler, and I'll get back to you on this.
From our last poll on Skincare Products You Can Do Without, it shows that 25% of those who voted (thanks!) reckon you can do without sunscreen. For me, I can do without the serum, but not sunscreen.
Well, I'm not about to shove sunscreen down your throat, but here are a few important facts about sunscreen which I think will benefit us.
According to the good people at About.com, the sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) radiation that we divide into categories based on the wavelength. UVC radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and does not cause skin damage. UVB radiation affects the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, and is the primary agent responsible for sunburns. UVB does not penetrate glass, and the intensity of UVB radiation depends on the time of day and the season. UVA radiation penetrates deeper into the skin and works more efficiently. The intensity of UVA radiation is more constant than UVB without the variations during the day and throughout the year. UVA is also not filtered by glass (meaning you're still exposed to harmful rays when you're sitting by the window indoors!).
The SPF measures the amount of UVB absorption, but there is no method of reporting the UVA
absorption. The only way to determine if a sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB radiation is to look at the ingredients. A good broad-spectrum sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 15 and contain avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.
Exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging such as wrinkles and skin cancers. The most important skin-care product available to prevent wrinkles and skin cancer is sunscreen, but most people do not use sunscreen correctly.
Okay, all the technical mumbo-jumbo aside, here are a few common mistakes made by many (me included) of us who do use sunscreen.
1. It is not applied soon enough.
You cannot apply it while you are sitting in the full sun watching a football game. For the best protection, you need to apply it 30 minutes before you are exposed to the sun. I see a lot of people doing this at the beach; who only just apply their sunscreen once they hit the beach, and not before.
2. You don't apply enough.
Your face requires about a teaspoon for the best coverage, while your arms and legs require about a tablespoon. Adjust accordingly for the torso. This is something I'm guilty of, as I often forget to apply sunscreen on my arms and legs as well when I'm out.
3. You don't by a sunscreen with a high enough SPF factor.
This really becomes important if you aren't using as much as you should. Too little of a sunscreen with an SPF factor of 15 is reduced to about half or less of that protection factor if you don't use the suggested amount. For our Malaysian weather, I use SPF50. SPF25 and above would do the trick.
4. You don't apply it often enough.
One application a day is not enough if you sweat or you are in and out of the water. There are sunscreens formulated for this very purpose, so keep this in mind when you make your next purchase.
So there ya go, some information about the use of sunscreen. I'll be doing a review of the current sunscreens I'm using in the next few posts to come. I know that a lot of people do not use sunscreens because of the smell (I do admit that I was turned off by a lot of the sunscreens in the market, mainly because of the bad smell), but rest assured that there are some sunscreens out there which do not stink, but smell quite good as a matter of fact.
Stay tuned!
Well, I'm not about to shove sunscreen down your throat, but here are a few important facts about sunscreen which I think will benefit us.According to the good people at About.com, the sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) radiation that we divide into categories based on the wavelength. UVC radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and does not cause skin damage. UVB radiation affects the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, and is the primary agent responsible for sunburns. UVB does not penetrate glass, and the intensity of UVB radiation depends on the time of day and the season. UVA radiation penetrates deeper into the skin and works more efficiently. The intensity of UVA radiation is more constant than UVB without the variations during the day and throughout the year. UVA is also not filtered by glass (meaning you're still exposed to harmful rays when you're sitting by the window indoors!).
The SPF measures the amount of UVB absorption, but there is no method of reporting the UVA
absorption. The only way to determine if a sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB radiation is to look at the ingredients. A good broad-spectrum sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 15 and contain avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.Exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging such as wrinkles and skin cancers. The most important skin-care product available to prevent wrinkles and skin cancer is sunscreen, but most people do not use sunscreen correctly.
Okay, all the technical mumbo-jumbo aside, here are a few common mistakes made by many (me included) of us who do use sunscreen.
1. It is not applied soon enough.
You cannot apply it while you are sitting in the full sun watching a football game. For the best protection, you need to apply it 30 minutes before you are exposed to the sun. I see a lot of people doing this at the beach; who only just apply their sunscreen once they hit the beach, and not before.
2. You don't apply enough.
Your face requires about a teaspoon for the best coverage, while your arms and legs require about a tablespoon. Adjust accordingly for the torso. This is something I'm guilty of, as I often forget to apply sunscreen on my arms and legs as well when I'm out.
3. You don't by a sunscreen with a high enough SPF factor.
This really becomes important if you aren't using as much as you should. Too little of a sunscreen with an SPF factor of 15 is reduced to about half or less of that protection factor if you don't use the suggested amount. For our Malaysian weather, I use SPF50. SPF25 and above would do the trick.
4. You don't apply it often enough.
One application a day is not enough if you sweat or you are in and out of the water. There are sunscreens formulated for this very purpose, so keep this in mind when you make your next purchase.
So there ya go, some information about the use of sunscreen. I'll be doing a review of the current sunscreens I'm using in the next few posts to come. I know that a lot of people do not use sunscreens because of the smell (I do admit that I was turned off by a lot of the sunscreens in the market, mainly because of the bad smell), but rest assured that there are some sunscreens out there which do not stink, but smell quite good as a matter of fact.
Stay tuned!
When I was little, I used to mock Mum for having an overwhelming amount of beauty junk on her dressing table. Little did I know, I ended up with the either the same amount of items or even more on my dressing table! This is a tag by Paris, and I thought I'd give you a bit of an idea of the stuff on my dressing table.
It's currently pretty cluttered; going to have to tidy it up this weekend. The amount of beauty stuff I have on my dressing table's only about 20% of the total products I own (scary, eh?) he rest are stored away in the drawer, wardrobe, and refrigerator (more on the last bit later). Anyhoos, back to the tag and to answer the questions:
What five beauty products could you not live without?
There isn't any beauty products which I could not live without per se, 'cos come on, you lose one, there are HUNDREDS out there just waiting to be tried. But I do have my favourites:
1. Estee Lauder Lucidity Translucent Loose Powder
2. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
3. Mentholatum Softlips lipbalm
4. Sunscreen
What’s the worst beauty mistake you’ve made?
I have to agree with Bea and Paris - it's always the eyebrows which tend to be the problem area, doesn't it? I unfortunately have the habit of over-tweezing; there's always a bald spot somewhere in the brows. A sorry sight indeed. Sigh.
What does your skincare regime consist of?
Ahh I've talked about my skincare regime before, but here it is again, for the sake of the tag ;)
AM
Olay Clarity Fresh Cleanser
Kanebo FairCrea White Power of Clear
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Clinique City Block SPF 15 Oil-Free Daily Face Protector
Kanebo Sensai Total Lip Treatment
PM
Olay Clarity Fresh Cleanser
Kanebo FairCrea White Power of Clear
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel
Loreal RevitaLift Double Lifting Extreme Re-tightening Gel & Anti-Wrinkle Cream
Bio Essence Bio-Energy Eye Bag Vanishing Serum
Kanebo Sensai Total Lip Treatment
Favourite beauty treat?
Facials and pedicures (good lord, not together!). There's nothing more "shiok" (good-feeling) than to have someone massage your face, put all sorts of good stuff on it, and then walking out feeling like a million bucks (not the blackhead extraction bit; that's a pain. Literally). Same goes for pedis, although I have yet to control my giggles when the pedicurist start massaging my calves (I'm extremely ticklish there).
What’s your favourite beauty store?
Do drugstores count? I simply LOVE 'em! Best place to get good cheapo over-the-counter products.
Favourite budget brand?
I'd say Maybelline, since I've been using 'em ever since I started using lipstick regularly at the age of 18. Their mascaras work the best for me (I love their Sky High Curves and Great Lash mascara); the premium fancypants brands can't beat 'em (in my opinion anyway). Silkygirl's funky eyeliners are really good too (surprisingly smooth to use). Price range for both brands are approximately Rm10-RM50. Not bad eh? Korean makeup lines are getting quite popular too; I like Elianto for selling their eye shadow refills for RM5 each!
Favourite premium brands?
I don't have a particular favourite; I'm always trying out different brands anyway.
What’s your ’every girl must own one’ item?
Moisturiser and sunscreen. Both keep your skin looking young and supple. I don't recommend moisturisers which come with "added SPF" though. Always have an extra layer of protection on your skin, whether you're indoors or outdoors.
And what about skin care: Favourite premium and budget brands?
Premium: Clinique. I've always used Clinique, and I was never disappointed.
Budget: Olay. My grandma used Olay (used to be Oil of Ulan) since she was young, and her skin's still looking pretty good.
And hair care?
Premium: Shiseido's Senscience range (they smell great, and their conditioners are fantastic. Worked wonders on my hair of steel). Tigi's quite good too (love the way they name their products anyway).
Budget: Clairol Herbal Essences. The smell of my hair after a good wash is almost orgasmic ;)
And finally, best beauty tip?
It's not so much of a beauty tip for your skin, so to speak, but a tip for keeping your beauty products in top condition, and allowing them to "survive" longer, would be to store 'em in your refrigerator. Mum and I have 2 separate compartments in our kitchen fridge, specifically for our skincare products. They last longer (creams, lotions, etc don't do so well in our hot and humid weather, even if you keep it away from the sun), plus the cold creams and gels feel great on the skin. I remembered a friend's aunt who actually bought a mini bar just to be placed in her room, for all her skincare products. I'm so going to do that when I have my own place ;)
My taggees are:
Truebluepenangite
Viva Woman
DailyFashionista
Fashion Asia
It's currently pretty cluttered; going to have to tidy it up this weekend. The amount of beauty stuff I have on my dressing table's only about 20% of the total products I own (scary, eh?) he rest are stored away in the drawer, wardrobe, and refrigerator (more on the last bit later). Anyhoos, back to the tag and to answer the questions:
What five beauty products could you not live without?
There isn't any beauty products which I could not live without per se, 'cos come on, you lose one, there are HUNDREDS out there just waiting to be tried. But I do have my favourites:
1. Estee Lauder Lucidity Translucent Loose Powder
2. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
3. Mentholatum Softlips lipbalm
4. Sunscreen
5. Blusher (I have real weakness for this. Give me the I'm-bloody-tired-but-I'll-be-damned-if-I-don't-look-like-I'm-a-million-bucks look anytime :p)
What’s the worst beauty mistake you’ve made?
I have to agree with Bea and Paris - it's always the eyebrows which tend to be the problem area, doesn't it? I unfortunately have the habit of over-tweezing; there's always a bald spot somewhere in the brows. A sorry sight indeed. Sigh.
What does your skincare regime consist of?
Ahh I've talked about my skincare regime before, but here it is again, for the sake of the tag ;)
AM
Olay Clarity Fresh Cleanser
Kanebo FairCrea White Power of Clear
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Clinique City Block SPF 15 Oil-Free Daily Face Protector
Kanebo Sensai Total Lip Treatment
PM
Olay Clarity Fresh Cleanser
Kanebo FairCrea White Power of Clear
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel
Loreal RevitaLift Double Lifting Extreme Re-tightening Gel & Anti-Wrinkle Cream
Bio Essence Bio-Energy Eye Bag Vanishing Serum
Kanebo Sensai Total Lip Treatment
Favourite beauty treat?
Facials and pedicures (good lord, not together!). There's nothing more "shiok" (good-feeling) than to have someone massage your face, put all sorts of good stuff on it, and then walking out feeling like a million bucks (not the blackhead extraction bit; that's a pain. Literally). Same goes for pedis, although I have yet to control my giggles when the pedicurist start massaging my calves (I'm extremely ticklish there).
What’s your favourite beauty store?
Do drugstores count? I simply LOVE 'em! Best place to get good cheapo over-the-counter products.
Favourite budget brand?
I'd say Maybelline, since I've been using 'em ever since I started using lipstick regularly at the age of 18. Their mascaras work the best for me (I love their Sky High Curves and Great Lash mascara); the premium fancypants brands can't beat 'em (in my opinion anyway). Silkygirl's funky eyeliners are really good too (surprisingly smooth to use). Price range for both brands are approximately Rm10-RM50. Not bad eh? Korean makeup lines are getting quite popular too; I like Elianto for selling their eye shadow refills for RM5 each!
Favourite premium brands?
I don't have a particular favourite; I'm always trying out different brands anyway.
What’s your ’every girl must own one’ item?
Moisturiser and sunscreen. Both keep your skin looking young and supple. I don't recommend moisturisers which come with "added SPF" though. Always have an extra layer of protection on your skin, whether you're indoors or outdoors.
And what about skin care: Favourite premium and budget brands?
Premium: Clinique. I've always used Clinique, and I was never disappointed.
Budget: Olay. My grandma used Olay (used to be Oil of Ulan) since she was young, and her skin's still looking pretty good.
And hair care?
Premium: Shiseido's Senscience range (they smell great, and their conditioners are fantastic. Worked wonders on my hair of steel). Tigi's quite good too (love the way they name their products anyway).
Budget: Clairol Herbal Essences. The smell of my hair after a good wash is almost orgasmic ;)
And finally, best beauty tip?
It's not so much of a beauty tip for your skin, so to speak, but a tip for keeping your beauty products in top condition, and allowing them to "survive" longer, would be to store 'em in your refrigerator. Mum and I have 2 separate compartments in our kitchen fridge, specifically for our skincare products. They last longer (creams, lotions, etc don't do so well in our hot and humid weather, even if you keep it away from the sun), plus the cold creams and gels feel great on the skin. I remembered a friend's aunt who actually bought a mini bar just to be placed in her room, for all her skincare products. I'm so going to do that when I have my own place ;)
My taggees are:
Truebluepenangite
Viva Woman
DailyFashionista
Fashion Asia
Cellnique's Pro Sebum Gel - An Updated Review
4 Comments Posted by Tine on May 13, 2007 at 11:55 PM.
This post was originally written on March 11, as an update to the first review of the Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel.
Thought I'd post an update from a previous entry, on Cellnique's Pro Sebum Gel. Well, I wouldn't consider that entry an actual review, as I only just bought it then, and since I only used it for a couple of days, a review wouldn't be justified. I've also received emails (thanks!) requesting I let 'em know if the product was any good.
Let's recap, shall we? The product claimed that with by using the daily maintenance gel, it'll slow oil secretion down, leaving skin clear, thus producing smooth visible results in 10 pain-free days.
The label indicated that I should apply the gel on affected skin area, but I slathered it evenly all over my face. Dunno if I'm supposed to do that, but hey, I'm Asian. I follow the Cantonese saying "sek tak mou sai" (literally, "if it can be eaten, then don't waste it) to the letter.
It's a little over 10 days now, and I have to say that I am pretty satisfied with the product. My blackheads were significantly lightened. I can't say they've all disappeared, 'cos despite what Cellnique claims, unless you do an actual extraction, you can't remove all of them. Also, I have not had problems with whiteheads since I started using the Pro Sebum Gel. The nose area is not as oily as before, thus allowing my makeup to last a little longer.
You will feel a tightening sensation on the face a few seconds after you apply it; some might like this, some might not (you might find your skin feeling a tad dry). I had no problems with this ... well, so far anyway.
Kesimpulannya, I'm definitely happy with this product, and will buy it when it's finished. I'm not sure how long a bottle will last me though; I reckon it should last about 2 to 3 months. I'd recommend this to people with oily or combination skin.
What I like about it: Oil-free, kept my face whitehead-free, lightened my blackheads, and significantly reduced my breakouts.
What I don't like about it: Nothing much really. I am really in love with this one!
*****************
Thought I'd post an update from a previous entry, on Cellnique's Pro Sebum Gel. Well, I wouldn't consider that entry an actual review, as I only just bought it then, and since I only used it for a couple of days, a review wouldn't be justified. I've also received emails (thanks!) requesting I let 'em know if the product was any good.
Let's recap, shall we? The product claimed that with by using the daily maintenance gel, it'll slow oil secretion down, leaving skin clear, thus producing smooth visible results in 10 pain-free days.
The label indicated that I should apply the gel on affected skin area, but I slathered it evenly all over my face. Dunno if I'm supposed to do that, but hey, I'm Asian. I follow the Cantonese saying "sek tak mou sai" (literally, "if it can be eaten, then don't waste it) to the letter.
It's a little over 10 days now, and I have to say that I am pretty satisfied with the product. My blackheads were significantly lightened. I can't say they've all disappeared, 'cos despite what Cellnique claims, unless you do an actual extraction, you can't remove all of them. Also, I have not had problems with whiteheads since I started using the Pro Sebum Gel. The nose area is not as oily as before, thus allowing my makeup to last a little longer.
You will feel a tightening sensation on the face a few seconds after you apply it; some might like this, some might not (you might find your skin feeling a tad dry). I had no problems with this ... well, so far anyway.
Kesimpulannya, I'm definitely happy with this product, and will buy it when it's finished. I'm not sure how long a bottle will last me though; I reckon it should last about 2 to 3 months. I'd recommend this to people with oily or combination skin.
What I like about it: Oil-free, kept my face whitehead-free, lightened my blackheads, and significantly reduced my breakouts.
What I don't like about it: Nothing much really. I am really in love with this one!
This post was originally written on February 25.
I bought this at Sasa a few days ago:
I've always had problems with blackheads and open pores around my nose. Beauticians gladly attack my nose with the blackhead remover every time I go for facials (ouch!). So far, the reviews I've read for this have been pretty positive. Of course, the blackheads were not 100% removed, but there was significant improvement.
I like it that it's doesn't smell funny, and most importantly, it is oil-free. I MUST have oil-free products on my face, as I sadly suffer from an oily T-zone. So far, I've only used it for two days, so I can't say I see much improvement on my nose area yet. The blackheads do appear lightened though. Or maybe I'm just being positive. I guess I have to be, for RM139. Yikes.
Will keep y'all posted if there really is significant improvement after 10 days. That's what the box claimed anyway.
*****************
I bought this at Sasa a few days ago:
Pro Sebum Gel is a beauty-salon-formulation gel to clear both blackheads and whiteheads on affected skin area without painful extraction. This daily maintenance gel also slows down oil secretion, leaving skin clear and producing smooth visible results in 10 pain-free days.I've been reading a lot about this. I have never used Cellnique products before, although it's getting more and more popular these days. Apparently, Cellnique's so confident in their product that they are actually offering a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with it. I have never heard of a money-back guarantee for skincare products before; this is definitely my first.
I've always had problems with blackheads and open pores around my nose. Beauticians gladly attack my nose with the blackhead remover every time I go for facials (ouch!). So far, the reviews I've read for this have been pretty positive. Of course, the blackheads were not 100% removed, but there was significant improvement.
I like it that it's doesn't smell funny, and most importantly, it is oil-free. I MUST have oil-free products on my face, as I sadly suffer from an oily T-zone. So far, I've only used it for two days, so I can't say I see much improvement on my nose area yet. The blackheads do appear lightened though. Or maybe I'm just being positive. I guess I have to be, for RM139. Yikes.
Will keep y'all posted if there really is significant improvement after 10 days. That's what the box claimed anyway.
Beauty experts recommend that we exfoliate our skin once a week to get rid of the dead skin cells from our face, and how right they are. However, there's a limit to how much we should use it.
When I was much younger (ouch!), I used to use Kao Biore's scrub (anyone used that?) every day, and man, even though I scrubbed my face lightly, doing it everyday really took a toll on my young, pimpled skin, causing it to break out even more. That kinda scared me off scrubs for a while.
I didn't really get into the once-a-week scrub routine again until my cousin Bee gave me a 50ml tube of Babor's Cleansing Mild Peeling exfoliant over a year ago to try it out. Babor's a German brand; it was definitely my first. German beauty product, that is.
It has finely ground husks of peach kernels (the exfoliants I normally come across use walnut kernels, which are a little harder), and sesame oil, which aren't harsh on the face. I like it that the hard bits are very fine, and when you rub it against your face, it doesn't scratch. I'd lightly rub the scrub on my skin, in a circular motion, and when after rinsing, my face feels clean and nicely exfoliated, without the raw feeling. A small amount, once a week, does the trick. And, my skin didn't break out, which was even better (yay!).
This cleanser is a salon product; it is not sold at drugstores nor at departmental store counters. My tube of the mild peeling cleanser is about to finish; unfortunately, I have no idea where to restock. Bee, some help? I checked on the Internet for Babor stockists in Malaysia, and this is what I found:
Luxor Beauty World Sdn Bhd
Penthouse, Menara Luxor
Tropicana Golf & Country Resort
6B Persiaran Tropicana
47410 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Yeah I know, this isn't much of a review since I can't tell you where to get it unless you go to the stockist directly, but if you do come across the scrub at your facialist's (I've seen a few advertisements of beauty centres who do use Babor products; sadly, none in Penang), you could give it a go. It is suitable for all skin types.
What I like about it: It's a mild and non-scratchy (I like it that the kernels are very fine)
What I don't like about it: Not easily available
When I was much younger (ouch!), I used to use Kao Biore's scrub (anyone used that?) every day, and man, even though I scrubbed my face lightly, doing it everyday really took a toll on my young, pimpled skin, causing it to break out even more. That kinda scared me off scrubs for a while.
I didn't really get into the once-a-week scrub routine again until my cousin Bee gave me a 50ml tube of Babor's Cleansing Mild Peeling exfoliant over a year ago to try it out. Babor's a German brand; it was definitely my first. German beauty product, that is.
It has finely ground husks of peach kernels (the exfoliants I normally come across use walnut kernels, which are a little harder), and sesame oil, which aren't harsh on the face. I like it that the hard bits are very fine, and when you rub it against your face, it doesn't scratch. I'd lightly rub the scrub on my skin, in a circular motion, and when after rinsing, my face feels clean and nicely exfoliated, without the raw feeling. A small amount, once a week, does the trick. And, my skin didn't break out, which was even better (yay!).
This cleanser is a salon product; it is not sold at drugstores nor at departmental store counters. My tube of the mild peeling cleanser is about to finish; unfortunately, I have no idea where to restock. Bee, some help? I checked on the Internet for Babor stockists in Malaysia, and this is what I found:
Luxor Beauty World Sdn Bhd
Penthouse, Menara Luxor
Tropicana Golf & Country Resort
6B Persiaran Tropicana
47410 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Yeah I know, this isn't much of a review since I can't tell you where to get it unless you go to the stockist directly, but if you do come across the scrub at your facialist's (I've seen a few advertisements of beauty centres who do use Babor products; sadly, none in Penang), you could give it a go. It is suitable for all skin types.
What I like about it: It's a mild and non-scratchy (I like it that the kernels are very fine)
What I don't like about it: Not easily available
Before I go on with more reviews on skincare products, I thought I'd give you a glimpse of my daily skincare routine, just to give you the 411 about my skin type, and the stuff I use to keep it in good condition (well, I try :)).
I have combinational skin; with the occasional breakout at the T-zone area. I use these daily, and they are the ones which work best for me (so far).
Morning
Olay Clarity Fresh Cleanser (for oily/combination skin)
Kanebo FairCrea White Power of Clear
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 (for combination skin)
Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Clinique City Block SPF 15 Oil-Free Daily Face Protector
Kanebo Sensai Total Lip Treatment
Evening
Olay Clarity Fresh Cleanser (for oily/combination skin)
Kanebo FairCrea White Power of Clear
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 (for combination skin)
Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel
Loreal RevitaLift Double Lifting Extreme Re-tightening Gel & Anti-Wrinkle Cream
Bio Essence Bio-Energy Eye Bag Vanishing Serum
Kanebo Sensai Total Lip Treatment
(Price range - RM10 to RM280)
Oh boy, sounds like a handful, huh? It only takes me 10-15 minutes a day for each routine though. I got used to the 3-step skincare routine (cleanse, tone, moisturise) since I was 12, and now, if I miss a step, I don't feel right.
I use a facial scrub once a week, and a mask too, if I'm not lazy. I should be more hardworking with the masks; after a scrub, it's good to treat the face with a nice, cooling mask (suggest that you keep your facial masks in the refrigerator; they last longer, and they feel good on your skin). Melts your stress away, as they say :)
I currently use the Bio Essence Eye Bag Vanishing Serum as an eye cream, but I think I'm going to change to another eye cream when this is finished as I don't seem to see any improvement to my lines and eyebags (the latter's a big problem area for me). Any recommendations?
Stick to the 3-step skincare if this is a little too much for you. It scares me sometimes that I put so much creams, gels and lotions on my face, but I guess I got used to it, and it's a little difficult to come off the routine.
The 3-step skincare should do it, and remember that it's never too early to start. Over-the-counter skincare products like Olay or Simple (this is not bad, as their range is light and unscented) work just fine if budget's an issue.
Okay now, repeat after me, ladies. Cleanse, tone and moisturise!
I have combinational skin; with the occasional breakout at the T-zone area. I use these daily, and they are the ones which work best for me (so far).
Morning
Olay Clarity Fresh Cleanser (for oily/combination skin)
Kanebo FairCrea White Power of Clear
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 (for combination skin)
Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Clinique City Block SPF 15 Oil-Free Daily Face Protector
Kanebo Sensai Total Lip Treatment
Evening
Olay Clarity Fresh Cleanser (for oily/combination skin)
Kanebo FairCrea White Power of Clear
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 (for combination skin)
Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel
Loreal RevitaLift Double Lifting Extreme Re-tightening Gel & Anti-Wrinkle Cream
Bio Essence Bio-Energy Eye Bag Vanishing Serum
Kanebo Sensai Total Lip Treatment
(Price range - RM10 to RM280)
Oh boy, sounds like a handful, huh? It only takes me 10-15 minutes a day for each routine though. I got used to the 3-step skincare routine (cleanse, tone, moisturise) since I was 12, and now, if I miss a step, I don't feel right.
I use a facial scrub once a week, and a mask too, if I'm not lazy. I should be more hardworking with the masks; after a scrub, it's good to treat the face with a nice, cooling mask (suggest that you keep your facial masks in the refrigerator; they last longer, and they feel good on your skin). Melts your stress away, as they say :)
I currently use the Bio Essence Eye Bag Vanishing Serum as an eye cream, but I think I'm going to change to another eye cream when this is finished as I don't seem to see any improvement to my lines and eyebags (the latter's a big problem area for me). Any recommendations?
Stick to the 3-step skincare if this is a little too much for you. It scares me sometimes that I put so much creams, gels and lotions on my face, but I guess I got used to it, and it's a little difficult to come off the routine.
The 3-step skincare should do it, and remember that it's never too early to start. Over-the-counter skincare products like Olay or Simple (this is not bad, as their range is light and unscented) work just fine if budget's an issue.
Okay now, repeat after me, ladies. Cleanse, tone and moisturise!
Review: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion/Gel
2 Comments Posted by Tine on May 5, 2007 at 9:00 PM.
A reader of mine, Jo, requested that I do a review on Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. So here ya go.
I've been using the moisturiser for over 10 years now. Apparently, this is Clinique's bestselling product. And I can imagine why; it is the BEST moisturiser I have ever used.
When I entered my teens, mum told me it was time to take care of my skin, and you know lah, it's the time when the pimples would sprout. So, a good three-step skincare is a must. I started using drugstore products (like Kao Biore, etc), and after a while, I realised I needed better moisturiser as the previous ones I was using were giving me even more pimples. Mum gave me a travel-sized bottle of Clinique's moisturiser, and from that time on, I was hooked.
One thing I like about the moisturiser is that it is NOT perfumed. I do not like scented products on my face (I worry that it would cause even more problems), and this did not fail me. The smell of the moisturiser might turn some people off though. I'm not saying it smells foul, but let's just say that there are moisturisers out there which smell better. But hey, using it for over 10 years, and not once giving me problems on my skin, should tell ya something, eh? ;)
It's quite rich on the skin, and it was perfect when I used it in the UK, and in Japan (during winter). It kept my skin nicely moisturised in dry, low humidity places. This is good for dry to very dry skin, but those with oily or combinational skin might want to try the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel.
It works the same as the lotion, but it's oil-free, and definitely lighter on the skin. I was really glad when Clinique introduced the oil-free version of the moisturiser; my skin became oilier around the T-zone as I grew older, and I found the lotion to be a tad rich for my skin.
The new bottles come with a pump now, which is great for easy dispensing (and more hygienic). Previously you kinda have to topple the bottle over and hit the back like smacking a ketchup bottle for the moisturiser to come out.
A 125ml bottle costs RM150 (same price for either lotion or gel), and should last you about 4 to 6 months, depending on usage (I use mine at least twice a day). By the way, it's a lot cheaper in the US (all Clinique products are), so if you have friends going there, do ask them to stock up for you :)
What I like about it: A clean, lightweight moisturiser for all skin types (lotion or gel). Unscented.
What I don't like about it: Not all that keen about the smell, no SPF
I've been using the moisturiser for over 10 years now. Apparently, this is Clinique's bestselling product. And I can imagine why; it is the BEST moisturiser I have ever used.
When I entered my teens, mum told me it was time to take care of my skin, and you know lah, it's the time when the pimples would sprout. So, a good three-step skincare is a must. I started using drugstore products (like Kao Biore, etc), and after a while, I realised I needed better moisturiser as the previous ones I was using were giving me even more pimples. Mum gave me a travel-sized bottle of Clinique's moisturiser, and from that time on, I was hooked.
One thing I like about the moisturiser is that it is NOT perfumed. I do not like scented products on my face (I worry that it would cause even more problems), and this did not fail me. The smell of the moisturiser might turn some people off though. I'm not saying it smells foul, but let's just say that there are moisturisers out there which smell better. But hey, using it for over 10 years, and not once giving me problems on my skin, should tell ya something, eh? ;)
It's quite rich on the skin, and it was perfect when I used it in the UK, and in Japan (during winter). It kept my skin nicely moisturised in dry, low humidity places. This is good for dry to very dry skin, but those with oily or combinational skin might want to try the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel.
It works the same as the lotion, but it's oil-free, and definitely lighter on the skin. I was really glad when Clinique introduced the oil-free version of the moisturiser; my skin became oilier around the T-zone as I grew older, and I found the lotion to be a tad rich for my skin.
The new bottles come with a pump now, which is great for easy dispensing (and more hygienic). Previously you kinda have to topple the bottle over and hit the back like smacking a ketchup bottle for the moisturiser to come out.
A 125ml bottle costs RM150 (same price for either lotion or gel), and should last you about 4 to 6 months, depending on usage (I use mine at least twice a day). By the way, it's a lot cheaper in the US (all Clinique products are), so if you have friends going there, do ask them to stock up for you :)
What I like about it: A clean, lightweight moisturiser for all skin types (lotion or gel). Unscented.
What I don't like about it: Not all that keen about the smell, no SPF
