Make-Up, Skincare, Hair Care
-
5 best conditioners to treat dry frizzy hair instantly!
Three of the dirtiest D-words ever: Dry, dull and damaged. Happily, you needn’t suffer with your split-ends in silence. Here’s a fabulous five-member tag team of #DieDieMustBuy tress tamers to add to your arsenal.
Kevin Murphy Repair-Me Rinse Restorative Strengthening Conditioner, $40 at selected salons
This keratin-boosting new kid on the block boasts an incredibly invigorating scent and comes chock-full of cuticle-sealing compounds the likes of soothing shea butter plus antioxidant actives courtesy of acai and aloe. An intriguing green pea protein also promises to restore and rejuvenate each strand for a souped up shine that’s well nigh salon-grade in sheen.
Personal experience? This express elixir works like no other in coaxing life into the parched plains of my frizzy follicular forest. This volumising salve is also superb for boosting the body of your post-rinse pouf, meaning your hair’s that much easier to braid and bun afterwards. Grab this for hair that will have you looking like you spent half a day at a salon … except you didn't even work up so much as a lather.
Kerastase Nutritive Lait Vital Nourishing Care Conditioner, $48
I’m riveted by this richly reparative cream, which is stuffed with all manner of plumping peptides and proteins plus beautifying botanicals such as exotic iris rhizome extract, which is said to scavenge free radicals.
Best bit: The buttery balm-like consistency means it can do double duty as a rinse-off mask of sorts. Here’s how. Warm up a generous dollop in your palms, work it into damp hair, then relax for 10 minutes or so. (If you’re daunted by the prospect of dripping all over your daybed, clip your coiffure up and secure with a shower cap.) When you think you’ve had enough, step into the shower and rinse off for surpassingly silky strands. You’re welcome!
Shu Uemura Art of Hair Moisture Velvet Conditioner, $69
This velvety volumiser comes crammed with cuticle-conditioning camellia oil and has also been designed to sink straight in, so you needn’t fret about leaving an embarrassing oil slick in your wake.
As I’ve discovered to my delight, treating your tresses to this nourisher the night before a Very Important Event should lend a really reflective mirror-like mirage to your mane; no more pesky flyaways! Bonus points for the sensorial pleasure afforded by this elixir’s ephemeral floral fragrance, which is just noticeable enough to keep my locks feeling fresh and flirty. Worth every pretty penny!
Tsubaki Extra Moist Conditioner, $16.90
The key to landing leading-lady locks, this subtly scented J-Beauty fave is loaded with lock-loving lipids and hugely hydrating hyaluronic acids for maximum moisturising impact. Simply dispense on damp hair, starting mid-length and paying extra care to the ends. Splash off and blow-dry for a super stylin’ head of soft hair. We swear we won’t judge if your newly rejuvenated coiff compels you to perform a slow-mo shampoo commercial hair flip!
L'oreal Paris Elseve Extraordinary Oil Conditioner, $16.90
This drugstore gem is liquid love for your locks – and the textbook definition of instant gratification, too; one pump and one minute is all it takes to lend your moistureless mane a shampoo ad-worthy sheen.
Packed with a silky sextet of “bodybuilding” botanical oils, this booster is perfect for use as a pampering pre-styling sealant; simply smooth into the ends of damp hair and rinse off for follicles that feel like silk. Indeed, with hair this smooth, fending off the caresses of your #bae when you emerge from your boudoir may be an exercise in futility.
Right, then. Do us a favour and share this story if any of these follicular fortifiers are calling out to you or your girlfriends, and happy beauty shopping!
-
5 foods to eat for more hydrated skin
We learn at a young age that drinking eight glasses of water a day is important for our health, but remembering to drink all that water can be a struggle some days. Staying hydrated isn’t just good for our insides, it’s crucial for our skin as well. While moisturisers and face creams help hydrate the skin externally, we can’t rely on products alone.
Dry and dehydrated skin is more common than we realise, even in a humid country like Singapore. The heat as well as air-conditioned work environments can be incredibly dehydrating for our skin. If you’re looking for more ways to increase your water intake, here are 5 foods to eat that will help hydrate your skin from the inside out.
#1 Flaxseeds
Alternatives: Salmon, walnutsOmega-3s are important when it comes to boosting our skin barrier function. This barrier, when functioning well, is what keeps moisture in, and irritants and external aggressors out. Weak barriers are often why our skin becomes rough or sensitive.
A study by a German university showed that flaxseed had a positive impact on the skin with reduced sensitivity and scaling, and increased smoothness and hydration.
#2 Spinach
Alternatives: Kale, tomatoesVegetables that contain a lot of water will help you with your daily water quota. Spinach has a high water content of 91.4 percent. There are other vegetables that contain more water, but spinach has more overall nutrients that are good for you like lutein, potassium, fiber, folate, and vitamin E.
#3 Celery
Alternative: GrapefruitCelery is a great source of vitamins A, C, and E, which are all crucial when it comes to skincare. We know that Vitamin E helps block free radicals which is great for anti-aging, while C helps brighten skin and fight UV damage. Vitamin A is also a key skin saviour: retinoids (a popular anti-aging skincare ingredient) are a derivative of vitamin A.
In addition to helping lower cholesterol, celery contains silica which helps with healthy bones and teeth, as well as hydrating the skin and maintaining elasticity.
#4 Broccoli
Alternative: Bell peppersAnother vegetable that is rich in water (90 percent), broccoli is also a good source of fiber, potassium, and antioxidants like vitamins A and C. It also contains sulforaphane, which is a compound that helps boost your body’s protective enzymes and flushes out certain toxins.
#5 Strawberries
Alternative: Kiwi, papayaNot only are they known for helping with teeth, strawberries also contain more water (92 percent) than any other berry. They’re also loaded with fiber, potassium and have more vitamin C per serving than an orange.
-
Time for me to try the conditioner~
-
i hate to use conditioner becos very ley chey to rinse off
-
.
-
How to make sure you’re removing all your makeup correctly at night
Because cleanliness truly is next to gorgeousness, we dish the dirt, so to speak, on three of the most common cleansing boo-boos, and what to do instead:
1. Don’t rely on cleansing wipes alone. These seemingly perfect little pads may seem like a windfall for lazy ladies when it comes to late-night makeup removal. After all, what could be easier than fishing one out from a resealable package, sweeping it over your skin and calling it a night?
The ugly truth, unfortunately, isn’t all that rosy. While their dirt-dissolving surfactants are much the same as those in wash-off cleansers, celebrity makeup artist Larry Yeo cautions against depending upon wipes for all your cleansing needs: “Without a good rinse with water, wipes will inevitably leave behind a layer of grime, and cannot be counted upon as perfect substitutes for proper cleansing.”
Bummer. What recourse, then, do we wipe worshippers have? If you must use a wipe, avoid unnecessary tugging around the delicate orbital and lip area, and always follow up with a quick splash of lukewarm water.
2. Don’t apply cleanser on damp skin. Any beauty junkie worth her bath salt will be aware that you ought to use cleansing oils on dry skin– but did you know that cream formulas should go on dry as well? The rationale: This allows the oils in the lather to emulsify and “cling” onto dirt and debris before being swept off in the shower.
3. Don’t rub your face with a wet cloth. Harsh handling of post-shower skin is a surefire way of promoting premature ageing.Sure, the succour of a steaming warm washcloth is not without its merits – the fuzzy fibres are superb for sloughing dead skin – but the friction created by those very same fibres can result in “expression” lines; sort of like the “sleep lines” running down the side of your nose when your cheeks smoosh up against your pillow.
Oh, and repeated use of the same wet washcloth – an incubator for bacteria and other baddies – is akin to rubbing a whole new suite of gross germs right back into your cleansed skin, too. The solution? Splash off with fingers, then grab a (clean!) dry towel and pat gently to wick water off your damp skin.
Bottomline: At the end of the day, you do need a little water and elbow grease to take it all off – a small price to pay, really, for beautiful skin begins and ends with a perfectly clean canvas. Cheers to good complexion!
-
I shop for my skincare products from Qoo10 and carousell (cheaper than buying from retail store). Recently started using this korean brand Cosrx and their products are really good and doesnt irritate my skin. I have a lot of acne problems.
Started using cosrx pimple master patch and it help to calm down my pimples really fast and the patch is transparent where I can put on my face and go out without anyone noticing that I am actually wearing the patch.
The cosrx one step pimple clear pads is good too, clears out my pimples and my skin feels really hydrated after using it.
I will be trying Cosrx other products soon (the centella blemish cream and blackhead liquid).
Anyone here tried Cosrx products?
-
Cushion foundations? Here's how to use them the right way
WHY THE CUSHION?
A cushion foundation gives your skin a dewy veil, making it look fresh and supple.
The foundation, which is soaked into a sponge, is more lightweight and watery than a liquid foundation. It comes in a compact case with a puff sponge applicator, making it more convenient to take along in your handbag.
APPLY TO PERFECTION
Makeup artist Larry Yeo says: “A cushion foundation gives you more control during application.” However, it can be tricky to use as there’s a tendency to pick up too much product with the applicator. Here’s how to apply it perfectly:
Gently soak the applicator
“Insert your index, middle and ring fingers under the ribbon of the puff applicator. Gently soak the middle part of the puff to pick up foundation,” says Chaven Lee, field trainer of Korean cosmetic brand, Sulwhasoo. Don’t press too hard into the foundation-soaked cushion – it’ll cause an overload and spillage.
Swipe over skin, then dab
“To apply, first swipe the puff across the skin to spread the product, then gently dab your face to blend,” says Larry.
Reach corners
For hard-to-reach areas like under the eyes or around the nose, fold the puff in half and dab foundation on gently, says Laneige trainer Tina Oh.
POWDER IF YOU WISH
If you’d like a more matte finish, lightly dust on loose powder after. You can also brush loose powder along the hairline and at the sides of the nose to absorb excess sebum, says Chaven.
CONCEAL AFTER
“When using moist bases like liquid, cream or cushion foundations, apply concealer after foundation,” says makeup artist Clarence Lee. Applying concealer before cushion foundation can make your skin appear uneven and patchy.
MAXIMISE IT
If you find that you get through a cushion foundation really quickly, you are not alone. Here’s how you can extend its lifespan.
Use your fingers
Instead of picking up foundation with the puff applicator, pat your fingers against the cushion, and dab and spread it over your skin, recommends Clarence. He adds that you can use the puff applicator for blending and a foundation brush to get to hard-to-reach areas.
Touch up with the puff
“Use an angled kabuki brush to apply cushion foundation at home – it picks up less product. Use the puff for touch-ups on the go,” says Larry.
Flip it over
Foundation gets pushed to the bottom of the cushion as you press on it every day. When you find foundation running low, use a clean pair of tweezers to flip the cushion over so you can continue using it to the last drop, says Chaven.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
Here’s how a cushion foundation stacks up against other makeup bases.
Compact foundation
Offers a semi-matte to matte finish, which may emphasise wrinkles and dehydration lines. What’s more, under flash photography, your compact foundation can make your skin look less natural or dusty with a whitish cast, says Larry. A cushion foundation makes your skin look more dewy and supple.
Cream foundation
A cream formula conceals imperfections but can make you look like you have too much foundation on. A cushion foundation, on the other hand, is lighter and gives you a more natural-looking finish, says Clarence.
Liquid foundation
A liquid foundation formulated to give you a dewy finish and a cushion foundation will give you the same results. But a liquid foundation wins hand-down for hygiene. Clarence says: “Liquid foundation is usually poured or pumped out, and there is minimal contact with the contents.” With a cushion foundation, you’d need to regularly handle the product – either with your fingers, brush or sponge, which maximises the transfer of sebum, dirt and bacteria to the foundation.
This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.
-
Does Your Shampoo Really Stop Working When Your Hair Gets Used To It?
Discovering a shampoo that leaves your locks looking like the Duchess of Cambridge’s is the ultimate beauty mini fist pump. But gradually, as you use it more the magical effects of said shampoo seem to wear off. “It’s just your hair getting used to it,” your mum/stylist/hair guru you follow on Instagram said. And so you sigh, stick the shampoo back under the sink and head off in search of your next wonder product.
It sort of makes sense - why else would something that left you looking salon-fresh at first suddenly start looking more hair-meh ten washes in? But are there some other factors at play? Can your hair really get used to a certain shampoo?
Marie Claire spoke to the hair bods in the know and it turns out that nope, it’s not true. Your hair cannot get so used to a product that it just stops working.
So what’s the deal? Celebrity hair stylist for Dove, Cynthia Alvarez, explained that there are a number of contributing factors to your hair riddle, but basically, it’s not the shampoo:
“A shampoo does not stop working because your hair gets used to it,” she said. “If your shampoo stops giving you the results you want, the condition and needs of your hair have most likely changed, or the season may have changed - it’s more humid, the sun is stronger, or the air is dryer. Your state of health or hormone levels may also be different from a recent illness or your monthly cycle.”
In other words you need to quit shaming the shampoo. So what can you do to try and hang onto Duchess-esque locks for a little longer? Alvarez recommends switching up your haircare regime when factors, such as the weather, change. When its cold, try moisture-rich formulas and when its humid a product that tackles frizz.
Experts also recommend keeping an eye on the amount of shampoo and conditioner you’re using because over conditioning can clog up pores on the scalp, leading to greasy hair.
So there you have it, hair shampoo mystery solved. Next up on the beauty conundrum list do over-plucked eyebrows ever really grow back?
-
Innisfree Sleeping Mask aloe vera ......... not bad ! Worth the buy.
-
Hair Affair has expired , cannot post there. Was in distress , sickening hairstylist cut my hair look like octopus . . . . . . Keep looking into mirror still cannot convince myself I can bear with the ugly hair cut. Went another salon cut ........ now real short . . . . I want back my long hair ..... sob sob . . . . . .
-
3 things you need to know to find the perfect foundation for your skin type
#1 FIGURING OUT YOUR SHADE
First things first, you’ve got to figure out your skin’s undertone. There are various foundation ranges out there that only come in three or four shades, making it near impossible to find your perfect match. But if they have a light enough coverage or adjust to your skin tone, they can still work.
There are three types of undertones, and an easy way to tell yours is by looking at the veins on the inside of your wrist. It’s also important to take a good look at your bare face and neck in natural sunlight.
Warm undertones have generally green looking veins, and you’ll also find gold jewellery more flattering on your skin than silver.
Cool undertones mean your veins appear more bluish through your skin, and you can pull off silver jewellery and cool-toned makeup like greys and blues well.
Neutral undertones are harder to figure out, but generally mean you’ve got veins that look both green and blue.
Once you’ve discovered your undertone, it’s about finding a shade with the right undertone that’s closest to your skin. Brands like Urban Decay, Make Up For Ever, Too Faced, and Mac have foundation ranges that cater to all three undertones.
If your face and neck are about the same shade, you should test the foundation on the side of your jaw below your cheek. I find it best to stripe three of the closest shades side by side, and see which one suits me best. Don’t be afraid to walk around the store or even outside to find some better lighting if you need to.
I like matching my face to my chest, so sometimes i’ll swatch the foundation below my collarbones. It’s difficult to find an affordable foundation line with a wide shade range, so if you aren’t willing to splurge, you might have to get two shades and custom blend it yourself when doing your makeup. I find this method works well for me because I go through periods of time where I’m more tan or fairer and my foundations stop being the right shade.
If in doubt, world famous makeup artist Lisa Eldridge has anincredibly extensive tutorial on how to figure out your shade and undertone.
#2 KNOWING YOUR SKIN TYPE
Whether you have dry, normal, oily or combination skin will play a huge role in determining the best type of foundation for your skin.
If you have dry skin, you’re going to prefer liquid, cream, stick, or hydrating powder foundations.
If you have oily skin, you can still work with liquid foundations but sticking with oil-free formulas is highly recommended. Powders work well, but something that has oil control or mattifying properties will be your best bet.
Combination skin is where it gets a bit more tricky, but I find that using more intensive moisturisers where my skin is dry and an oil control serum on my T-zone as well as a mattifying primer means I can still wear most liquid foundations without mattifying my whole face.
#3 CHOOSING YOUR FINISH
Dewy, matte, satin, and semi-matte, are all common foundation finishes. Of course, the finish you choose is often the one that best suits the look you want, but you also have to take your skin type into consideration.
Avoid dewy foundations if you have oily skin, as they will make you look overly greasy. It’s fine to go for a satin, natural or semi-matte finish when you’re oily, as long as you set the necessary areas of your face with powder.
Full matte is a popular option when you have oily skin, but some people might find it too flat looking. If you’ve got both a dewy and semi-matte foundation on hand, you can always mix them for an in-between finish. I also like applying my matte foundations with a damp sponge so they don’t look too matte or heavy on my skin.
-
-
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9F8WVRK
Help with an survey and be rewarded with an complimentary facial with free check of your skin.
Needed 100 response with the survey regards to the beauty market!
-
i think i m a hoarder keep buying and keeping cosmetics ..... when i check yesterday , found out alot expiry le haish
-
Thanks for sharing this with us.
-
.
-
Originally posted by FireIce:
mostly asspensive
i was given samples from guardian
the pond's deep action night cream not bad
about $50
