Tip: Double Mask! Use a moisturising face mask after a clay mask for clean radiant skin

Paris B 52 Comments

two is better than one

This probably isn’t a very new tip, but I think its worth giving a go.

I sometimes use a clay mask off and on for dealing with spots and the like and I like the super clean feel of my skin after my clay or deep purifying mask sessions. I regularly use the Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask or Aesop Primrose Facial Cleansing Mask and they both make my skin feel lovely and clean… but also a little dry.

I would usually then follow up quite quickly with my usual skincare – moisturizer and toner. But I experimented recently with following up my clay or purifying mask with a hydrating mask and I loved how my skin felt and looked after that!

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Fortify and Soothe and Hydrate… and all that : Take it away Vichy Aqualia Thermal!

Paris B 28 Comments

I’d been wanting to tell you about this hydrating serum for a while now, but it kept getting shelved for one reason or another or was pushed aside for one obligation or another but no longer! I’m usually very picky about pharmacy brand serums – very few ever make the cut for me. But this one does.

vichy aqualia thermal serum

Its the Vichy Aqualia Thermal hydrating serum or to give it its full name Vichy Aqualia Thermal Fortifying & Soothing Serum 24hr Hydrating Concentrate *whew* I’d had it for a while stuck in a corner, but I took to it when I noticed that I was running out of my Estee Lauder Hydratrionist serum really fast and I needed a backup.

What it is, is a hydrating serum so it goes on after cleansing and toner (if you use it) and before moisturizer. I use it in the day and sometimes at night too. And its earned itself a semi-permanent place on my dresser. Nothing’s permanent you see, since I’m fickle so semi-permanent is about as good as it gets!

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Red or white? Hada Labo Lifting + Firming Lotion or Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion?

Paris B 27 Comments

I first spotted the Hada Labo red line in one of my regular online shopping jaunts. At the time, I wasn’t too sure what it was so I didn’t pick up anything. By the time it was launched here, I’d learnt that the red Hada Labo line is a line targeted at the skin firming and anti-aging crowd (me!) and that it contains retinol (vitamin A).

hada labo retinol firming lifting lotion

I have most of the products from the line, but I really wanted to concentrate on just the Hada Labo Retinol Lifting and Firming Lotion for today. I’ve noticed quite a few questions flying around online about whether one should use the normal Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion that comes in the white bottle or this Retinol Lifting + Firming Lotion which comes in the red bottle and which is better; and I wanted to address that because I’m nosy and opinionated that way 🙂

First off though, what is retinol? Just very quickly, Retinol is Vitamin A that can assist in accelerating cell turnover by encouraging cell production under the skin. It also has an exfoliating effect to exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells, to allow the new skin cells to surface. This is what gives the appearance of smoother, softer skin, when used in the long run. But hold that thought on exfoliation yes? EDIT 2017: Retinol does not exfoliate per se. It does help skin turnover and can often be drying. This can result in dry or flaky skin which isn’t necessarily exfoliating.

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A hydrating essence you do not need to pat in – Neogence Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence

Paris B 26 Comments

I’d never come across this brand called Neogence before, have you? Then again, I don’t spend a lot of time in Sasa stores where this is found. I operate Sasa stores like a hit and run accident – hit the store, run in to get what I want and run out. I don’t stop and browse because the SAs there just scare me silly. Pushy doesn’t quite begin to describe it.

neogence hyaluronic acid hydrating essence

However, I was passed the Neogence Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence to trial by Cittabella magazine for their feature, which is how I came to know about this product.

A bit of research tells me that Neogence is a brand from Taiwan and this Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence is one of their star products. I must say that I really liked this product in the 2 weeks I was trialing it.

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