Recently I had a bad breakout. I’m still breaking out till to this day, can you believe it? This has got to be my longest, most miserable breakout of all these years. So I took a drastic change with my skincare routine. Because I have not had breakout like this for years, I was actually clueless as to what to do.

The first thing I did was to stop everything I was using and re-plan my new skincare routine. The key is to go back to basic. But what? I start from the cleanser and move upwards. And these are what I had come out with.

Day time routine

To me day time was the easiest to plan. I don’t really pile up a lot of skincare products as I was before. So it was just cleanser, toner, eye care, beauty oil, moisturizer and sunscreen.

Cleanser – Neal’s Yard Remedies Deliciously Ella Rose, Lime & Cucumber Facial Wash
This one is easy. It is my existing cleanser and I’m ran out as I’m typing this. It’s very mild, doesn’t foam up a lot but does a good job in cleansing the face.

Lotion – Estée Lauder Micro Essence
Micro Essence is actually my night time toner and I’m also using it in the day time. When used along with ANR, the result is amazing. Alone on itself it is just any other lotion, only more sticky and moisturizing lol.

Eye Care – Clarins Enchancing Eye Lift Serum
I’m trying to get through this as this eye serum is not enough when used alone. As it is a serum, it is recommended to use alongside an eye cream. You know me, I’m lazy these days

Beauty Oil – Trilogy No. 15 Limited Edition Beauty Oil
I should stop using this beauty oil as well and be on a super basic regimen but since I just started using it, I didn’t want to leave it alone. It’s harmless and such a waste if I stop using it so there you have it.

Moisturizer – Clarins White Plus Pure Translucency Brightening Emulsion
I have a theory with breakout. You MUST implement at least one whitening skincare in your skincare regimen so that the marks are easier to tone down or get rid off. I never ever ever go on with my day without any whitening product. I find that by using a whitening product, the marks are less red and heals faster

Sunscreen – Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++
And of course, always end your day skincare routine with a sunscreen. I’m always on min SPF50. Nothing less. Recently I took out this Murad’s new sunscreen to use. It’s slightly tinted and heavy on the skin. Not my favourite at the beginning but it grew on me. Now, I like how it makes my skin healthy.

Forea Luna Play Plus
This is a new toy I purchase recently from Sephora. I’m using it once a day aka in the morning after I woke up and it makes my skin so smooth and glowy. Weird. It works!

Night time routine

From cleanser to moisturizer there are only 6 products, same as the day time. I thought it’s more. Hmmm.

Cleanser – Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser
I really like self-foaming cleanser. Recent discovery and love is this one from Caudalie. Night time is the time I really indulge in my beauty routine. Even this cleanser which I’ve been saving is only meant for night time as I’m scared I ran out lol.

Eye Care – Clarins Enchancing Eye Lift Serum
Nothing different here compared to day time. Still the same product for the eyes but sometimes I do stray to others. Sometimes

Lotion – Estée Lauder Micro Essence
Same as day time, Micro Essence is the essential as I’m pairing it with ANR.

Serum – Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
Now, this is the main key product in the whole Breakout Skincare Routine. As I was re-planning my entire skincare routine, I was thinking hard on one product that can help with skin rejuvenation. I mean, most of the anti-aging products claimed to be one but I only knew ANR would work and worked before. So I bust into a brand new Limited Edition Golden ANR bottle from the Monkey year. Nothing feels as good as a brand new bottle of ANR haha.

Beauty Oil – Trilogy No. 15 Limited Edition Beauty Oil
Because I was using this beauty oil in the day, why not continue at night as well? Plus I feel more moisturized if I had this on to sleep.

Moisturizer – L’Occitane Reine Blanche Whitening Rich Cream
Like I said, I must have at least one whitening product to reduce acne marks and to accelerate the healing process. This cream is potent! It’s not drying for the skin and does a good job. I still do ended up with breakout marks but I believe it will be gone in no time with continuous use of this cream. I’m left with just a medium blob. Hope it will last me lol.

Treatment

On every alternate days, I would be putting one some kind of mask. The only I can’t stop using is the L’Oreal Pure Clay Mask Anti-Pores. I don’t care what people say about PRC made or UK made. This is what I can get in Malaysia and that’s what I’ll be using. Other masks on rotation are REN Evercalm™ Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask (review here) which works in calming down the skin or redness,Dr. Brand Magnetight Skin Recharging Magnet Mask (review here) to suck out all the impurities from the pores, and hella lots of sheet mask. The one I’m currently using are of course from my LoveFace X #IWillBeOkay collaboration box

Tell me, what do you do when you have breakout? Do you stop using everything or do you go back to the basic 3-steps?

The post Breakout Skincare Routine appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

I love quirky beauty products. I bet all girls do. That’s what makes them buy it! Sometimes you thought you’ve seen it all, used it all, then something quirkier came out and it blew your mind. This was what makes my eye balls popped out of the socket several months ago. I first saw this new Dr. Brand Magnetight Skin Recharging Magnet Mask from Tati of Glam Life Guru channel. I quickly went on Kensapothecary website to see if we have it here in Malaysia and most importantly the price but to only find out that we do not have it. Yet. Fast forward to a month or two ago, we can finally buy Magnetight mask.

I have the mask for quite some time now. I did a quick Insta Stories first impression, literally bringing you along as I unbox and apply the mask for the first time, and many of you DM-ed me saying you saw a significant smoother and brighter skin as soon as I removed the mask. I promised an Insta Video and that took me a while to post up because my eczema on the forehead is having too much fun. It would be so weird to see a red patch on the forehead hehe. If you missed the video, you can check it out here.

Dr. Brand Magnetight Skin Recharging Magnet Mask comes in a hefty square tub. I for one is not someone who read instruction before using any skincare so I really do appreciate the box that has a 3-piece top, which I need to flip open one by one in order to get the tub out. Each piece are printed with a step by step how-to-use instruction. It was pretty handy for me. I already know this is a magnet mask that comes with a piece of magnet for removal so I was searching high and low for that piece of magnet only to find it sticking tightly on the bottom of the tub. How genius!

I received quite a lot of enquiry on what does the mask do. Basically everyone is curious as to its function so to speak. It is defined as age-defying mask therefore I am just going to classified this as an anti-aging mask. It claimed to dramatically transforming the skin appearance by harnessing the power of attraction. Hence the magnetic mask gimmick. It is also said that the magnetic properties in the mask has iron based formula that is able to help in reducing signs of aging and to destress the skin, transforming the skin into a more energized looking skin. Now, that’s not too much to digest isn’t it

It is a magnetic mask afterall so the product comes in a dark grey shade. It has a smell to it. Scent is kinda personal so I apologize if you’re smelling something different than what my nose picked up. I do smell that metal-y scent, only more pleasant. However it is quite strong. You will smell this on your face for the next 10-minutes you have the mask on and after that as well.

The whole package also include a plastic spatula. It does a fine job in scooping the product out of the tub. I was supposed to be applying the mask on my face using the same spatula but I find that it doesn’t give me a smooth application as how I like it to be. Sometimes, well most of the time a thick application *giggles*.

Magnetight Skin Recharging Magnet Mask is thick and creamy. What I like about the mask is that it doesn’t dries down to a harden mask. So I can take my sweet time applying and smoothing out the mask. Application is a breeze now that I have a proper face mask brush application haha! I usually have the mask on and start working on my laptop. By the time I know it, it’s time to remove the mask. That my friend, is the most exciting part about the mask!

Remember that triangle piece of magnet included, wrap that magnet with a piece of tissue paper and start “gliding” it all over the surface of the skin. No pressure needed AT ALL. The magnet will work it’s magic. What I like to do is to watch the mask lifted from the skin to the tissue paper effortlessly. However, this process is also the messiest task despite being the most fun and interesting one. You will need to replace the tissue every now and then as the magnet will not be as powerful as the beginning when the mask are all piled up on the magnet. All I do is to flip the tissue around. Sounds easy right? Not! Even removing the tissue from the magnet is a challenging job. The mask residue are stuck tightly on the tissue. You will need a little bit of force to rip it off from the magnet. Most of the time the mask residue will get onto the magnet. Needless to say removing that residue from the piece of magnet is even more challenging lol!! But fret not. Once you get the hang of it, it will be an easy job. I have been using this mask for several times now and it’s been good so far.

Once you’ve done the fun part of removing the mask from your face, just massage in the remaining product into the skin. This is why I mentioned that you will smell the metal-y mask scent even after removal. I have to tell you that there will be a layer of oil on the skin, which is what you don’t rinse off but massage in. Yes it is a little bit oily so what I like to do is to use a clean piece of tissue paper, wrap around the magnet and run all over my face to remove most of the residue. Even though so there will still be a little bit of oil left on the skin, which I did not mind at all as my face are significantly smoother and brighter. Does the effect last? Yes for me. The entire day in fact

Disclaimer: Product was sent to me as a gift with no review obligation. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.

The post Fun and Gimmicky Dr. Brandt Magnetight Age-Defier Skin Recharging Magnet Mask That Visibly Smoothen and Brighten My Skin within 10 Minutes! appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

Something about me. I’m not that proactive in event. The reality is, all of the product launch event comes with a mini game or activity to spice up the overall agenda. You know, the kind of activity that gets your brain moving after a dull day at work. However, I’m not into such activity. Not because the organizers did a bad job in this matter but when I go to event, I’m getting away from the work so I want to just relax, mingle with my fellow friends, laugh, feel the product, learn about the product and go home happily. I don’t wanna crack my brain at all. Not even a bit!

So when it’s ‘game’ time, I usually slide down the chair so that I’m half hidden underneath the crowd. Let’s face it. I’m not creative if you ask me to create something middle of the day and I’m usually the unlucky one when it comes to contest. I attended the Dr. Brandt Do Not Age blogger event a few months ago and when it’s game time, I cringed. But when I found out that the game is crossword puzzle, for some odd reason I suddenly woke up from feeling miserable and all hyped up. Even I surprised myself. THIS, I’m interested! Long story cut short, the fastest person to finish the crossword puzzle get to win a full size bottle of Do Not Age with Dr. Brandt Transforming Pearl Serum worth RM499 and I won it. It’s not easy at all since the paper that was given to us was merely a A6 size (quarter of A4 paper) and the words are so small that one can go blind staring it. Again for some very odd reason, the words just popped out in front of my eyes.

Initially I didn’t want to review this serum because as you know, it’s very hard for me to gauge whether anti-aging product works on me due to the fact that I don’t have visible signs of aging. I was looking at the outer box for a while now, trying to make sense of what it claimed to do against the hefty price tag. I thought I might as well do a review on it before I ran out.

Here’s what interesting. Madonna love this serum and she’s a loyal customer of Dr. Brandt. She said “I love how tight my face feels after applying more than I probably should” in Harper’s Bazaar magazine. She made it sounds like it’s a botox with an instant lift! Transforming Pearl Serum is formulated to jump-start the skin’s metabolism and to restore strength as well as vitality. As most anti-aging product, this serum also promote and maintain younger looking skin but the focus point of Do Not Age range is, it prolonged it. If you look at the claims on the box, I think it’s rather a brave move to print it on the box.

To be honest with you, I wasn’t impressed with the packaging. For RM499 you do get a heavy glass bottle but what I really dislike is the way the silver pump top is packaged. I would rather that pump top is sealed or fixed so that it is unable to be open as we want to. On a side note, the silver part doesn’t feels like a cheap material and the clear cap closes down with a loud click even after the excessive opening and closing. Some product’s cap do get looser but not this one. I can still hold the cap while retrieving the bottle from my vanity table without dropping it.

Now the star of the product that sparkles all the interest, that also includes a high pitch excitement. Girls will always be girls eh? What’s interesting with Do Not Age with Dr. Brandt Transforming Pearl Serum is none other than the suspending pearls that are visibly displayed through the glass bottle body. The serum features Dr. Brandt’s exclusive Juvenessence®+ Complex that is encapsulated in DuoPearl technology. This technology is the result after taking five years of research and it is now with six patents. It’s a tedious and complex process as the pearls are produced one by one, combining lipo + hydrophases for maximum ingredient efficacy as well as preservation. These are the ingredients to unlock Juvenessence®+ Complex to reserve domino effect of cellular skin aging. Looks familiar to you? The same concept was once featured last year and it’s the Guerlain Meteorites Perles Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer. This type of ‘encapsulated pearls’ technology is not a stranger anymore nowadays. More and more brand uses the same concept for their product regardless skin care or cosmetics.

When I bought the Guerlain makeup primer previously, there are a few readers who are curious as to how do I get the pearls out. You have no idea how many people actually think that each pearl will be dispense out with the press of the pump. Sorry, it doesn’t work this way. I don’t think these fatty pearls will fit through the small lil pump hole

These encapsulated pearls are suspending in a clear gel which are the active ingredients. When you press on the pump, the pearls will be crushed while making its way through the pump tube, and mixing itself with the clear gel. You will then get an even dose of application.

Since I already have the pearls out on the back of my hand, I can’t help but to pop it *evil*. First pearl popping shock the heck of me. It burst so loudly, splashing the content of the pearl all over my work table. Then I know I have to pop the second pearl. This time I was prepared. It is definitely not as easy as I thought it would be. These encapsulated DuoPearl Technology is quite sturdy. The same ‘pop’ with splashing happened. So yeah, I’ve concluded you CANNOT use the pearl alone . What a fun experiment to do!

Like I said earlier, you need an even dose of application each pump. This is the result of pearl crushed inside the tube and mixed with the clear gel. I usually just use one full pump. For someone who have combination oily skin, I feel that the gel is a little bit sticky for my liking. Although the amount of a pump isn’t really a lot, but it’s the stickiness that I don’t prefer. But, if you do have normal, dry or T-zone combination skin, your skin will love this.

I started using this the next day after having Botox treatment on my forehead. My forehead feels a bit sore on the night after Botox so I dare not touch my face. Although I was told that the Botox will only take effect after 48 hours, I’ve always assumed that Botox is immediately. I really do hate the wrinkles on my forehead so I took out the strongest anti-aging skin care I have – that is this Transforming Pearl Serum. This serum is afterall developed by the world renowned celebrity dermatologist and it helps to optimizes cell respiration, jump starts skin metabolism, erases the signs of skin aging and minimizes roughness and wrinkles. Exactly what I need to get rid of the forehead wrinkles FAST.

I can’t say much about how this serum help with the rest of my face because honestly speaking I can’t see any changes at all. I have combination oily skin so my skin is not in the dry state that it will crinkle up. I do expect the kind of instant face tightening like how Madonna described it but there was none. Let’s face it. I only used one pump and she’s using more than enough so I can’t expect the same result as hers isn’t it? Can’t blame the girl for hoping

Somehow, I do think that this serum does help with my forehead wrinkles. It helped to smoothen my forehead wrinkles a little bit even before the Botox kick start it’s effectiveness. I’ve been using this serum since then up until today to help me to maintain the smoothness and the prep my skin for the day when Botox starts to face away. Now that I can start to frown and lift my eyebrows a little bit, I used this serum heavily on my forehead and there was no wrinkles forming after I’m done with makeup. I may not be able to tell you it works for my face but I can tell you it does help with my forehead. That’s the only part of the face that have wrinkles

The question is, would you spend RM499 to give this serum a try? I would probably not repurchase this for the face but if I can, I would get it for my forehead. I wonder how many pumps do I need to use in order to get the same effect as Madonna? Any idea?

Disclaimer: Product won from mini crossword puzzle game at the blogger event.

The post Do Not Age with Dr. Brandt Transforming Pearl Serum: A Madonna’s favourite that probably works better on skin with visible signs of aging appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

Ahhh favourites of the month. I never do any of this favourites post before because I never find it interesting. Besides favourites, most people also do empties. I don’t do empties post but two years ago I gave it a twist and did something called “Newly Opened” because I’m rebellious like that

The reason why I never find reading favourites of the month interesting is because most people either (1) repeat the same product from last month and they can like it for a few months in a row. Nothing’s wrong with it though, don’t get me wrong. (2) Most favourites product had been reviewed before. So if I’ve already read the review, there is no need for me to know if you like it or not for a second time. (3) Most favourites product is the product that was reviewed within the same month. So long story cut short, I was itching to do something different and I’ve decided to come out with favourites of the month post too BUT, it will be on things that are not in the blog.

With all the non-stop shopping, I do try loads of new products off camera and usually these are the things that either make it to the blog or it never come near at all. Here is my August 2014 Favourites.

Bioderma Sébium H20 Purifying Cleansing Micelle Solution
I met up with the beautiful ladies of Bioderma two weeks ago and Datin Juli Azmi, Chief Marketing Officer even came out to meet me. It was such a privilege to be able to meet with the people behind the highly raved brand and they brought me gifts! Datin Juli said that if I like Sensibio H20, I would like Sébium H20 even more. And she was so right. After trying the cute 20ml Sébium H20, I can say that I would prefer it over Sensibio. It has a pleasant scent to it and it is not as oily as what I’ve heard.

Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner Corrective Care for Enlarged Pores
I had my eyes on this one the first time I saw it at Guardian KLCC. I was extremely happy to find a sample size in my gift bag and I put it on my face the next morning. I like that it mattes out my skin but due to the fact that my pore size is extraordinary larger than ordinary large, I haven’t see any difference yet. Afterall I only had a 5ml tube. I think I would need to get the full size and try for a few months straight in order to see anything. However, that doesn’t stop me from liking this product. It smells amazing and it makes a good makeup base too. *waiting for sales*

ZA Perfect Fit Liquid Foundation #OC10
This is one of my favourite liquid foundation! It is not out in the market yet and due to be released by October 2014. You can read about the product at this link. Initially I was given the shade PO10 which is a pink base foundation but I exchanged it with OC10. OC10 is too dark and OC00 would be a better match for my skin tone. This is a water based foundation that goes on slightly matte. It offers medium coverage that is buildable to full coverage. I also like it for it’s flawless smooth finishing. I would definitely get OC00 soon.

Dr. Brandt XYY Eye Cream
Right after my trial with Clarins Extra-Firming Complete Rejuvenating Cream, I was eager to use my press sample bottle of Dr. Brandt XYY Eye Cream. During the blogger event, I found out that this range as well as DNA range is powerful in combating signs of aging. You all know how bothered I am with my under eye wrinkles so I HAD TO TRY THIS. This eye cream works best in smoothing all the fine lines by moisturizing the area. It is an anti-oxidant eye cream to protect, hydrates and smoothes eye area by providing a 12 hours of protection agains free radicals. After a few tries, I was impressed. Makeup on my under eye doesn’t cake up and concealer doesn’t accentuate the wrinkles I had. I didn’t want to neglect my Clarins so I only use this at night with just a rice size amount. Review will be up in a few months time.

Dior Diorsnow Iconic Overcurl Mascara #090 Over Black
I can’t remember where I got this travel size mascara. It has a normal brush size that is curvy like an eye shape. The formula is slightly dry, which is the type of consistency that I like. It gave my lashes volume, length and curl at the same time. The best part is that it doesn’t smudge on me. One thing good about travel size mascara is that the wand is shorter so I can get a better grip near my eye lashes.

Zoeva 127 Luxe Sheer Cheek & Zoeva 228 Crease
My latest Zoeva brush purchase is also my favourite brushes at the moment. I got the 127 Luxe Sheer Cheek for contouring. It gave my cheek a diffused contour line which no other brush can do. It’s either I get a harsh line or I get a blush-like effect. This brush is in between both .
I was looking for 227 Soft Definer but it was not in stock so I got the 228 Crease instead. I get this brush mainly to apply transition color on my upper crease before eyeshadow. The reviews online is 50/50. I’m so glad I bought this because it fits the purpose superbly.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse with Eyebrow Brush & Spoolie
I was eyeing on Too Faced Bulletproof Brows but the shade I want was out of stock. Thank goodness for that because I later found out that the gel dried up fast. Tarte had something similar as well so I bought that instead. I usually use a small plastic spatula to scrap some product out and only dip my brush from the spatula instead to prevent the gel from exposing to air for too long. It does take me a few usage to get used to the whole brow filling with a brush and gel. I used this product a lot but when I’m really rushing out of the door, I would go back to my ZA Ever Brows lol. Okay, this rushing thingy only happen once in a blue moon.

Make Up For Ever 210 Round Shader Brush
Recently Make Up For Ever launched a whopping 75 brushes and I’m already eyeing a few. Bless my wallet please . One of the press sample brush that I had is the 210 Round Shader Brush. To be honest I had no clue what I was going to use it for. At first I used it to line my upper eyes with darker eyeshadow and it work out well. But lining my upper eyes with eyeshadow is something that I don’t do very often. Contrary to that, I do line my lower eyelash on everyday basis. This brush has quickly become my favourite eye brush. I love the handle the most. The bristles are the softest that you can find for the delicate under eye lash. There is no fallout when I used this brush at all.

Some Random Mask Brush & Spatula
I bought this in a set from Mr. DIY for RM1.90 if I’m not mistaken. I have no idea why it took me this long to get a mask brush because I get the job done in a jiffy! I mainly bought it to apply GlamGlow mask and every other cream mask that I had at home. Best tool to get as I no longer need to waste tissue papers to wipe off the excess mask from my fingers. Mud mask is the most troublesome to clean I tell ya.

Honda Water Flask
Something not beauty related . I was given a limited edition water flask by my friend who happens to be the Sales Manager of Honda when I pick up my car one year ago. Being in the automotive media for a few years, I get countless of water flask from various media launch event. You can say I’m a bit bored with getting water flask although I do collect Honda merchandise. When I did a furniture reshuffling of my room a few weeks ago, I threw away every other water flask I had and decided to take this out to use instead. This one stays on my work/vanity table as I’m too lazy to walk to the kitchen for water. Usually merchandise like this is not in the best quality but I discovered that this one is different. One particular day I pour in 10% of hot water and left it on my table for a good few hours. When I opened the cap, the water is still warm! I am already thinking to put coffee in the flask instead

Glass Containers
You see this coming didn’t you? It is not a secret that I’m very much into crystal-like, shiny glass containers at the moment. It all started when I found a large glass container that was meant to put candies after watching Huda Beauty beauty storage ideas. That’s the large one you see on the right below. I wouldn’t just buy any glass container available as majority of it is dull and yellowish looking. What I was looking for is something clear, clean, crystal-like and with good workmanship. A few weeks after that I stumbled upon an identical but smaller size glass container so I bought that too. The larger one I used to store cotton buds, MUJI Peelable Cotton and normal cotton pads. The smaller one on the other hand is a bit small to store anything that I have so I used it to store travel size skin care that I wanted to use up, thumb drives, tweezer, brow scissors and so on.

Phew! That’s a lot of products that I like eh? I hope you like this new favourites post. Do let me know what you think so that I know if I should continue for the coming months. What’s your favourites product for the month of August? Anything interesting?

The post August 2014 Favourites: Things that are not in the blog appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona