We use our hands for everything, to pick up stuff, to cook, to touch, to text, to type, to scratch, to hold hands and so much more. But, how often do we provide care and love to our hands? We spend time and money on our face, hair, nails but not our hands.
With the global pandemic happening, washing hands for 20 seconds has been much more encouraged to kill germs and bacteria. But stripping all the oils have also left us with dry, cracking hands that is not ideal for beautiful hands.
Even Apple has a hand washing feature with a 20 second countdown.
Hand Sanitiser has also been the new norm with everyone having a couple of them and we're constantly sanitising our hands. With most hand sanitiser being 80% ethanol, it is stripping the oils from our hand and we're left with dry, crackling and painful hands.
Lucky for us, there are so many hand-creams in the market that are hydrating and nourishing that provides us with soft beautiful hands that aren't greasy and oily. But as any cream (similar to our face creams and moisturisers), it's not a one-time miracle and it's something we have to be consistent and incorporate to our daily lives and be part of our routine.
I personally am very picky with hand creams, as I'm touching my phone, laptop, keyboard, picking up things. The last thing I would want is Oily, Sticky, Greasy hands transferring to everything I touch and I end up picking up more dirt, dust and bacteria, (ew...)
I've tried my fair share of the lot and here are my best hand creams which I would recommend.
It continues to amaze me that so many women today are willing to undergo drastic surgery/aesthetic services for wrinkles but don’t wear sunscreen.
Many people underestimate the power of the sun. It is not just a major cause of hyperpigmentation and skin cancer, but wrinkles, dryness – which leads to premature aging.
If you know me, you'll know I don't do sun. I'm the girl that wears sunscreen in-doors during winter. I'm the girl that brings an umbrella to the beach. I'm the girl that refuses to let the sun touch me for more than 10 mins.
Friends and people always laugh at my love-hate relationship with Mr Sun, but they are reasons why I do so. As much as I love him, there are moments I dislike him too (hate is such a strong word. lol). BUT!! That doesn’t stop me from going outside and enjoy the beach. I just simply have my precautions.
How many of you actually use sunscreen and actually understand the things that it does to you in the long run? (I think sunscreen is one of the topics I talk about the most here.) The most common question I get is
“How do you keep your complexion so nice?” or “Your skin is so soft and amazing!” or the one I get most from Asian s are “You are so fair and radiant!”
It’s simple. Always use sunscreen! It doesn’t matter if you have any foundation or BB Cream on or if you’re just plain jane. You always need sunscreen. Even if you don’t like fair skin and you want a tan, it’s important to get the right sunscreen/tanning lotion/oil and stay away from the damage it does to your skin in the long run. How much more do I need to emphasise the importance of sunscreen?
When people find out that I wear sunscreen every day, they freak out. Because sunscreen wasn’t advertised or marketed as an everyday essential but it was marketed (thanks to banana boat) as sunscreen you wear when you go to the beach! Especially, coming from people who want to be as tan as possible or how they say it “as black as possible”. But what many don’t understand is that tanning should be done the proper way - that is why tanning lotions exist!
A little information about tanning lotion and how it works;
The sun releases UVA and UVB
UVA breaks down your skin collagen
UVB causes the burn not the outer surface of your skin.
I remember when NIVEA came out with the sun protection awareness ads, it was really effective as it shows you the effects it does it the long run. (plus, how you would look like) Not endorsed by NIVEA.
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Now you wouldn’t wanna wait till you’re old with wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation to start using sunscreen right?
Every other few months, we see a new product launch especially a new foundation that has been "revolutionise" or "upgraded". We then try and test it to see what's the difference is. The good and the bad, the ins and the outs, the pros and the cons - we all want to know it.
Brands have been releasing and re-formulating serum foundations that just adds a new product on the shelf and cause more confusion to people.
The one question I get a lot is “I just want a foundation, but there is so many out there! I don’t even know what is what anymore” In response to this question, I would usually have to explain why there are the different various kinds of foundations and help them in their journey to get one.
Serum foundation is one that I have not talked about much or reviewed any. So, sit back, relax and hopefully, you’ll get something out of this :)
What is Serum Foundation?
Serum foundations (also known as foundation fluids or skin tints) are currently one of the biggest trends on the beauty market. The milky, oil- and silicone-based emulsions feel weightless and give the skin a beautiful, velvety finish without looking like makeup - Allure
It was created as the next generation foundation. The added value and extra benefit that everyone would love. The less-cakey look - close to natural but seamless, flawless, perfect finishing.
What is the main difference between Serum Foundation and regular Foundation?
Top question to someone who hears it for the first time but doesn’t really know the difference.
Foundations were created back then to conceal, correct and cover. From changing skin tone to correct colours and to conceal everything to have the perfect flawless skin - thus was created to be full coverage.
Then the medium coverage came in, and someone went light and the sheers. Then the matte and the dewy trend started when the cosmetic industry realised everyone has different skin types, skin tones and skin colours. More came out.
Why did Serum Foundation make an impact in the beauty industry?
Giving you a natural healthy looking glow, leaving your skin looking like skin - but better.
If you love the lightweight feel of a tinted moisturizer, but want the full coverage of a liquid foundation,
then its serum-based counterpart may be the answer to your beauty prayers. - instyle
Which Serum Foundation are my favourites and recommendation?
Note: The below are not favoured in any order.
Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation
Tarte Hydroflex Serum Foundation
The Ordinary Serum Foundation
Dior Nude Air Serum
Should you get a Serum Foundation?
This is entirely up to you. From dry skin to oily skin, serum foundation will suit you. It’s incorporating serum foundation into your routine that makes a difference.
Have you tried serum foundation yet? They feel lightweight going on, but can build up to provide more coverage. Mange of them contain ingredients that are great for your skin. It’s the next level of makeup with skincare benefits.
There’s no better feeling than clean skin that does not leave your skin stripped and dry. I have been using this cleansing gel since I was 14 and that itself says a lot.
Made with bio adaptive botanicals, it helps adapt your skin into the environment. The cleansing gel removes and dissolves any pore-blocking dirt, oil, impurities and any makeup without stripping your skin’s natural moisture.
This cleansing gel isn’t just for females but it’s perfect for all skin types and all gender.
Quite a lot of gel cleanser in the market does not foam easily and even if they do, it’s harsh and leaves your skin feeling tight and squeaky. As we all know, that’s not how a good cleanser should make you feel.
As easy as it is to use, gently lather over wet face and neck and rinse thoroughly. Simple! It doesn’t get any more complicated than that. Your skin will be comfortable, cleaner and clearer.
Key Ingredients:
Bioadaptive Botanical Blend (Rhodiola, Maral Root, Siberian Ginseng, Chaga Mushroom, and Resurrection Plant)—a blend of botanical extracts from plants that thrive in extreme climates and can help your skin bounce back from stressors.
Soap-Free Cleansing Agents—vegetable-based agents that help form a gentle foam to clean pores and remove excess oil from the skin.
Moisture Balancing Blend (Geranium, Lemon, Fennel Extracts, and Glycerin)—helps soothe and condition skin while helping restore its natural moisture balance.
Then, Bobbi Brown released their Skin Long Wear Foundation, which is a combination of the Skin Foundation and the Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation. How amazing is that? The two holy-grail combined together.
But wait.. Is it too good to be true?
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation is one of the best dewy light-medium coverage foundation in the market (my opinion), while the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation is one of the best medium-full coverage matte foundation in the market (also my opinion).
A combination of the two best foundations for the in-betweens who wants the best of both worlds seems too good to be true.
16-hour, medium-full buildable matte formula
Bobbi Brown explains it as…
16-hour wear, medium-full, buildable coverage foundation with a natural, multidimensional matte finish that’s comfortable, breathable, and weightless. Available in 42 shades that are expertly calibrated to your undertone to even out and correct the complexion in one simple step.
Created through a high-speed cold fusion process, this ultra-silky emulsion features a perfectly balanced blend of skin-loving ingredients, oil controlling actives and skin-true pigments. Incredibly smooth and blendable, it glides on with a second-skin feel and multidimensional matte finish. Pigments are precisely balanced through artistry expertise to skin’s top tones and undertones to deliver the most natural-looking shade range for all skin tones.
Bobbi Brown claims it as…
MULTIDIMENSIONAL MATTE COVERAGE: Treated skin-true pigments suspended in an emollient gel base float on skin, reflecting light to enhance skin’s natural contours and dimension. Instantly conceals redness, discolouration and pores with full yet natural coverage.
This is the first I’ve ever seen a foundation that calls it a “Multidimensional Coverage” which is really interesting!
A research was also done with 101 participants in a 4-week consumer study according to Bobbi Brown.
– 96% said it immediately left their skin looking shine-free
– 93% felt it immediately minimised the look of pores
– 92% said their skin looked more even-toned throughout the day
– 91% said their skin looked fresh throughout the day
– 84% felt it left their skin feeling hydrated
– 81% said the foundation stood up to all their activities
Now.. Nuff of what Bobbi Brown has to say and what do I have to say about it?
I was really excited when this foundation released over 2 years ago and it took me a really long time to write this review because … Lots of things have happened and I’ve been slacking on my blogs and reviews. #imsorry
The first thing that I have to say, I’m impressed with the range of shades that is available. There are 43 shades released in this foundation! I am a Alabaster/Porcelain shade – and it’s really rare for a foundation to be available in such a fair shade. Which was why when I fell in love with Bobbi Brown’s foundation 13 years ago, it was really difficult for me to move away as they weren’t many foundations and brands that come with such a variety of shade range.
But of course, not all stores and country carry all shades.
I have to state that I’m really happy that this foundation is Paraben-free; phthalate-free; sulphate-free; sulphite-free; gluten-free; vegan.
This foundation comes in SPF 15 which isn’t enough to protect you from the sun! (Don’t forget your sunscreens!) I’ve got nothing against foundation with sunscreens – I do know many people who try to avoid foundation with sunscreen due to the texture, scent and how it gives a white flashback under flash photography. In some foundations with sunscreen, I do notice they tend to get oilier as the day goes by. But not for this.
In the past 2 years, I have repurchased 2 bottles (one in Porcelain, one in Alabaster) and it will continue to be in my go-to shelf. And to stay on the go-to shelf says a lot about how much I love this foundation.
Everyone who knows me since I was 11 knows me as the curly hair girl.
And I use to hate.
.
.
.
I hated it.
I despise it.
I often wondered why am I stuck with the unwanted hair.
I grew up in an age where silky-straight-flat-hair stuck to your face like some gothic chick or what they called (and still) Japanese Straight Hair, was the cool, nice hair everybody wanted.
And then there's me, the total opposite.
At the age of 14, I was allowed my first rebonding permanent Japanese hair straightening, I was THRILLED. 😁
Wore it proudly everywhere refusing to wash my hair and smelled heavily with chemicals that I just got used to it.
Fast forward 15 years later, I've owned 6 straighteners, 8 curlers, bleached, dyed, shopped and basically everything I couldve done to my hair.
Straightening became part of my daily routine.
I was a professional in a salon blow-out style.
And then one day, I woke up and decided I needed to stop ruining my hair and basically stopped using heat on a daily basis.
But my hair would frizz... A hair dryer won't work!!
So, I have decided. Enough is enough
Came out of the shower with wet hair, air dried it and...
The curls are back!!
At this rate, I'm 3 weeks in my curly girl journey. I'm still at an experimenting stage trying out techniques and products. Cutting down on heat and allowing my hair to air dry as much as possible.
On some days, they are fine.
One some other days, it struggles.
You could see the waves but isn't as curly.
Looking into the curl types, I've learnt that I am a 2C/3A
Doesn't show much ey??
Guess this would be better
Currently my hair isn't bouncing to it's natural state, but it's siting at 2B/2C. once it. Bounces into natural state, it. Would bea 3A.
.
.
.
Lesson I've learnt (wish I knew earlier), I'f you've got frizzy hair, you could be curly. 😊
“The temperature is cooling down and winter is around the corner. Just like you change your wardrobe when the weather turns chilly, now is the time to change your skin care routine."
During the winter months the skin is often forgotten about and left unprotected. This can cause significant dryness, itching and redness. While we can’t stop winter from coming, we can counteract the effects that this season has on our skin with a little preventative care. This can go a long way in helping keep our complexion glowing and healthy.
Check out top tips to help you keep your skin soft and supple this winter:
Step 1: Moisturise
It is important to change your light weight moisturiser for thicker products that quench your skin’s thirst and rehydrate your skin. Moisturisers are a critical component of a skin care routine, as they help keep skin dryness at bay. Add a protective layer to your skin today.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Regularly exfoliate your face and body to remove dead skin cells and allow moisture to absorb into the skin quicker and more effectively. Use an exfoliant that is non-abrasive to ensure that it feels comfortable on your skin.
Step 3: Use a hydrating mask
To bring back radiance and softness to your face, use a soothing hydrating mask. Use this twice a week before you go to bed, and let it do its magic for 10 to 20 minutes.
Step 4: Apply lip balm
To get rid of the dead skin that’s messing with your lip look, try using a lip balm to add moisture. This will help protect against chapping and rejuvenate the delicate skin. After using a moisturising lip balm your lips will look and feel smooth. Get yours today!
Step 5: Protect your hands from the cold
Some parts of our body are more sensitive to the weather than others. During winter our hands get chapped, cracked and irritated because we are using them for every task, all day. Our hands are so important; however, we often forget that they need the most care. To prevent ageing and dryness of your hands it is important to use a moisturiser every morning and night.
Step 6: Have cooler showers
While hot showers are a welcome relief in winter, they tend to dry out skin and hair. It is important to reduce the temperature of your showers and apply a rich moisturiser after.
Step 7: Wear Sunscreen
It is important to always protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun, even during the winter months. Sunscreen should be used for all seasons, so make sure you apply it every day as part of your skin care routine
Vitamin C serums are legendary for a reason: They work!
Uneven skin tone, rough texture, fine lines, acne scars, general dullness — you can name just about any common complexion concern, and there's a good chance that vitamin C (and the skin-care products it's featured in) is a recommended treatment.
How does the ingredient work on the skin, though?
Are the brighter, smoother results thanks to the same potent antioxidant found in the orange juice you drink when you have a cold?
First, What is Vitamin C?
As far as your skin is concerned, vitamin C is "a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals," explains board-certified dermatologist Patricia Wexler. "Because of its antioxidant properties, vitamin C aids in your skin's natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells."
So, in the same way, that consuming antioxidant-rich foods aids your body in fighting off free radicals, topical antioxidants do the same for your skin by helping to offset daily aggressors like UV damage and exposure to air pollution.
A quick refresher course on antioxidants: They prevent or reduce damage to our cells by neutralizing the production of highly reactive molecules called free radicals. In other words, antioxidants help keep our body and our skin cells healthy.
How else does Vitamin C benefit the skin?
Antioxidant
Skin-healing properties by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin. (we all know the benefit of Collagen and Elastin)
Promote collagen production
Prevent premature aging
Prevents hyperpigmentation and dark sports
How can you include Vitamin C in your skincare routine?
Dermatologists agree that the best vitamin C skin-care product to use is serum, because "serums are more effective than creams or toners"
As a general rule, serums should be layered underneath your moisturizer.
My personal favourite is The Body Shop Vitamin C range.
I personally own the The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost and the Face Mist and I love it! I've been a user of the Skin Boost for almost 8 years and I can't love it anymore.
I have tried a variety of Vitamin C ingredient skincare, and the one thing I would advise is to try it out. Get a sample if you can, try it out on your hand if you can't get a hold a sample.
Reason being, the scent, texture and consistency of different products vary.
A new Japanese website has just launched into Australia and in celebration to their launch, first 50 customers would get a free face towel!
With that, their price ain’t that expensive and it’s pretty on-par with getting them in Japan!
The DHC Lip Balm is about $18 in other stores and Lululun Face Mask is about $15 in other stores. Hence, Sumusu Beauty is not expensive and I’m so excited with what they would bring in to stores in the future!
They have just release the Rose Quarts Beauty Rollers!
The perfect accessory to add to your beauty collection. Not only does it look pretty but it does wonders for your face. The double roller helps enhance blood circulation, improves product absorption, and reduces puffiness. It also helps relief your stress & tension making your skin feel softer and smoother.
Due to the natural formation of the Rose Quartz stone, each piece is unique and may vary in colour.
You can shop now at Sumusu Beauty at hereand also sign up to receive new release of their products!
