Salt water, anyone?

(I apologise for such a delay, I have been busy lately)

I guess you guys must be thinking.. salt water? What does salt got to do with anything beauty related? It's just for seasoning, isn't it? You're absolutely right. Personally, I recently found out about the benefits of salt water.


Did you know that it's good for your face and healing sore throat too? :) You can also use sea salt as a facial scrub or toner. 

How to...

Scrub:  
1. Keep a small container of sea salt (preferably) in your toilet or room. 
2. Make sure you have thoroughly cleanse your face before applying about a coin size of sea salt on your face.
3. Massage the salt gently in a circular motion. 
4. You can leave it on 10-15 minutes if you have time. If not, just wash it off and pat your face dry.

Toner:
1. Have a small bottle container to make the toner.
2. Scoop about a teaspoon or more (depending to your own liking) into the bottle.
3. Add in water.
4. Shake it and it's ready to use! Apply it with a cotton pad on a cleansed face.


Sore throat:
1. Scoop out half a table spoon into a cup. 
2. Add in warm water till it is half cup full.
3. You can either gargle it or better, drink it. 
4. If there's left over you can always use it as a toner! :)

Side note: When you apply salt on your face, it's okay to feel a slight stinging sensation. The stinging sensation will disappear in a while. :) 


There you have it! The awesome benefits of sea salt. It's not only affordable but beneficial. Who doesn't love that? ;)





"Always remember that no matter how bad your day is, there is a fresh new day tomorrow to make it more wonderful!" - Amanda Rouge.



With salt?

Updated Cleanser & Toner

(Side note, this is a lengthy post - please do enjoy!) 

Frustration comes in the morning when I look at the mirror and see few pimples that keeps on recurring. I have been having red bumps on my forehead that grows in size to become painful and stubborn pimples for a while now. It is an eyesore because takes about a week just to wait for it to reduce into scars. For about 3-4 months, I have been using the Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Organic Soap as my cleanser. I also use it for my body. Check it out (here). I know I know, generally people advise not to use soap because it is too drying.


But, I realised my skin doesn't dry out. And if my skin does really dry out at my cheeks and chin area, I will apply some extra virgin olive oil as my moisturiser in the night. You can put any type moisturiser that you like. :) Depending on the condition of my skin, I sometimes switch my cleansers because my skin somehow gets "immune" to any cleansers I use.


I lather it up the cleanser of my choice with my pore cleansing brush - I have 2 of it (RM6 each). It looks something like the picture on the right. I massage this soap onto my face in a clockwise and anticlockwise motion. I normally leave it on as long as I can, about 3 minutes while I brush my teeth and apply conditioner to the ends of my hair.


The first few months of using this cleanser, I really like the results because my pimples has become more controlled and less visible in a matter of days. So if you have dry skin, I only advise you to use this soap when you need it and remember to apply your moisturiser!

But after the first few months, I noticed my skin became 'immune' to the tea tree oil products. I tried finding some salicylic acid to combat my painful bumps but the products are not very effective and the smell of it was not to my liking. Just 4 days ago, I found out that oats can be a good natural and effective cleanser. I found out this beauty tip from one of my favourite beauty guru, Bubzbeauty from Youtube. Here's a link to her video about oats. (Click here) 

Oats works remarkably well for cleansing, softening, moisturising, healing. It has anti-inflammatory properties which helps to soothe redness and clean your skin without stripping off the natural oils on your face. Oats is not only affordable and healthy to be consumed but also keeps your face radiant.

Just by 4 days of use, my skin is becoming clearer. The redness of my skin is starting to fade and my pimples scars are starting to heal. I keep a plastic container of oats in my room for convenience purposes. I recommend to cleanse with oats near the sink so that any fall outs will be washed away. :)

Here's the steps on how I apply the oats on my face:
1. It's okay to have your face dry while doing this. Grab about less than a palm size of oats with your fist. 
2. Run your fist under warm tap water (preferably) until you feel your oats starting to get soaked.
3. Open up your palm and use your other hand to take some of the slightly damp oats.
4. Gently spread the product on your face.
5. You'll realise that the oats will have a slightly milky and sticky texture when it is smeared on your face.
6. Be careful because some of the oats might fall off your face.  


If you do have time, apply this oats for 10-15 minutes to be used as a mini mask. If not, you can apply this cleanser before you take a shower so that you can reap out the benefits of this cleanser while washing your hair and body. :) 


As for toner, I switched it up with my Burt's Bees Rose Water and Glycerin Toner when I'm using the tea tree soap bar. Check out my review of it here. (click here) When I'm using oats as my cleanser, I use my home made aloe vera as my toner and a pimple cream at the same time. It is wonderful if you have an aloe vera plant at home.

Here are the list of benefits of aloe vera before I continue on my homemade aloe vera toner:

• Aloe vera is beneficial for cracked and dry skin.
• Aloe Vera acts as a natural barrier and shields our skin from dangerous toxins.
• Aloe vera is helpful for frostbite, burns, insect bites, blisters and allergic reactions.
• Aloe vera products contain the highest concentrations of healing agent which is beneficial for the skin.
• It makes the skin smooth and glowing.
• Aloe vera is used for treating various skin conditions such as eczema, burns, psoriasis, inflammations, wounds etc.
• It is an excellent skin moisturizer that keeps the skin flexible by giving oxygen to the cells which in turn increases the strength and synthesis of skin tissue.
• Aloe vera improves the ability of the skin so that it can hydrate itself.
• It is helpful in removing dead skin cells and has the ability for effective penetration and transports healthy substances through the skin.

As you can see, aloe vera has many beneficial properties to the skin which is why it will make a wonderful toner. :)

What you will need:

• 1 piece of aloe vera leaf
• Knife
• Chopping board
• A blender
• Container or glass jar (preferably) to put the product
• Sakae, a Japanese alcohol (it's okay if you don't have this)

Steps:

1. Slice out the green part of the aloe vera with a knife. Be very careful because the aloe vera has a slimy texture.
2. Wash the jelly part after cutting. Blend the aloe vera inside a blender. If the blender doesn't thoroughly blend the aloe vera into juice, add in some water.
3. Apply 1-2 caps of sakae if you have.
4. Store the aloe vera toner in the fridge when not in use, it might sting a little due to the sakae. 
5. Apply it on your face and neck with a clean cotton pad. You can also apply it onto dry areas of your skin! It acts as a magnificent moisturiser. :)


Sakae too, has many beneficial properties. I will talk about it next time if I have the time. :) With sakae, the toner might last 1-2 weeks. Without it, I recommend to finish the toner in a week time. Remember to always smell the aloe vera juice before you apply it on your face. The smell of the aloe vera is odorless. Thus if it starts to smell weird, stop using it immediately and throw it away.

P.S - If your skin can take it, it will be better to use the tea tree soap bar for your whole face because it can reduce blackheads around your cheek areas which are more stubborn.

"For poise, walk with knowledge that you will never walk alone" - Audrey Hepburn

With love,

Eyecream anyone?

Konichiwa! It's been a while. :)

       I have been using the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avacado for about 5 months now. I was slightly devastated when I realised that I had few visible lines on my under eye area. If I am not mistaken, I think it's called fine lines. I never used an eye cream before this so I thought that maybe, my under eye area was in a need of something moisturising.

Thus I checked reviews on several eye creams and stumbled upon this. It cost RM 100 for quite a small tub. It has a creamy texture that glides on my skin. You just need a pea size amount and it will cover your under eye area. :) I apply it after my toner has fully set and dried. You can check out my toner review if you're interested (click here). I apply it every other day, depending on the condition of my eyes.

Some reviewers mentioned that it made their eyes less puffy after using this eye cream. However I don't feel much of a difference other than I had no extra visible lines appearing. My skin doesn't have sudden break outs with this eye cream. Occasionally, there are tiny little dots around my cheekbone area after using this cream. That's okay with me because I will immediately stop using it for a day or two and apply some tea tree oil on the area. :)


How to apply:
1. Make sure you have cleansed your face and pat it dry. Double cleanse it with a toner to remove any leftover cleanser, makeup, dirt and oil.
2. Take a pea size amount with your baby finger and dab some on the outer eye area and also the under eye area.
3. Use your ring finger to smooth out the product and blend it in. Remember to use patting motion and gentle pressure.

*** Side note, I only use it in the night because I find that applying this eye cream day and night will make me more prone in having tiny pimples around my cheekbone area. If you ask me about repurchasing this eye cream after I am finished with it - I'm not quite sure. I don't love it but I don't dislike it. Will update you guys if I do repurchase it. :)

P.S - I stopped using this cream because I find it too rich for me. :)

"Smile genuinely at someone today!" - Amanda Rouge

Your eyes are the window to your soul,

Body Scrub

We often lather expensive products on our face to ensure that we look beautiful and youthful. Come on, who doesn't want to look their very best? It's not about impressing anyone, it's about making yourself feel good and confident about yourself. However, we must also take good care of our body because it belongs to us, and only us. So besides exfoliating our face, we have to also exfoliate our body at least once a week. I know I know, it's sometimes a chore but your skin will thank you for that! :)

Exfoliating promotes cell regeneration. With the top layer of dead skill cell removed, our skin will look more radiant and absorb products like lotion more easily. Exfoliating also prevents ingrown hair that is caused by shaving and epilating.

It's probably about a year and a half that I have used the Natio Wellness Body Scrub. I bought it at Sasa at the price of RM40+ (if I'm not mistaken) during a sale. And it actually lasted me for a year. I actually just repurchased my second tub of this Natio scrub at the price of RM66 about a month ago. Be on the look out because Sasa sometimes has sales that allow you to get this scrub for a cheaper price. :) Yay!

This tub of scrub consist of 450grams and it lasted about a year for me. Like any other scrubs, this scrub has a grainy texture and it smells really nice. I use this twice a week (if I do remember) after I thoroughly showered. Make sure that your body is slightly wet before you use this scrub to allow a smoother application. I try to leave it on as long as I can. Although the ingredients are not 100% natural, it doesn't really bother me that much because I only leave it on for about 5 minutes and wash it away with water. :)

Here are the list of ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Polyethylene, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Apricot (Prunus Ameniaca) Seed Powder, Carbomer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocyl Sarcosinate, Triethanolamine, Sucrose. Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil, Soybean (Glycine Soja) Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Matricaria (Chamomilla Recutita) Extract, Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis) Seed Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Salicyclic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylisothiazolinone Methylchloroisothiazolinone.

I have tried other scrubs before this but I did not like the watery texture and how fast it finished for me. Not only that, some scrubs come in a squeeze bottle that is suppose to be convenient. However, some of them are pretty pricey and they don't have much product inside. So it lasts me for only a short time. :(

Please do remember when I review on a product, it doesn't mean that other products don't work well as this product. It's just that I found that this product works well for me. And thus, I would like to share it with you guys. :)

"Think of good thoughts every single moment you are aware of" - The Secret

Happy exfoliating!

Toner - an essential

Did you miss me? :)

Anyway, I have been using the Burt's Bees Rose Water and Glycerin Toner for about 2-3 months now. What can I say? I'm a fan of "natural" and chem-free products. After 10% discount (because I'm a member), it's about RM56. If you aren't a member, it's about RM60+. Like any other toner, it removes any residue of makeup, cleanser, dirt and oil. The scent of this toner is absolutely refreshing and lovely. It comes in a pretty frosted glass bottle - which I'm very careful of. Although some may find the glass bottle quite inconvenient, I like it. I just got to take extra care of it.

After cleansing my face, I would take a piece of cotton pad and place it at the mouth of the bottle. Then, I would invert it until I feel the cotton pad is soaked. And that's it, wipe the cotton pad all over my face and neck. Make sure that the toner has fully dried before you put on any other products. :)

Here are the list of ingredients: 

Rosa damascena (rose) flower water, alcohol denat, glycerin, centaurea cyanus (cornflower) flower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) leaf extract, yucca schidigera leaf extract

My skin feels refresh and clean after using this toner. I have used about half of  the bottle. However, I'm not sure if I would repurchase it again because of the price. I would let you guys know when I do. :)

Side note: I am not planning to repurchase this toner anytime soon as I find it too costly to do so. I rather make my own toner. You can check out my DIY Apple Cider Toner vinegar (here) and my Rose Petal Sake toner (here). 

"Happiness can be achieve by anyone" - Amanda Rouge

Until then,

The loofah

The colourful loofah. It's so pretty and puffy. I use it every time I shower because it really lathers up my soap really well compared to my hands. It's cheap and it only cost below RM5 for a packet of 4. Isn't that a steal? :) I normally get it at my local pharmacy (drugstore) called Guardian. 


Loofah is actually from a gourd and cucumber vegetable. Isn't that an interesting fact? :)


Here are the list of the benefits of loofah:
1. Good for removing dead skin cells.
2. Improve circulatory and promote excretory function of the skin.
3. Effective in removing calluses from the knees, ankle, palm of the hands and feet.
4. Can prevent ingrown hair due to shaving.

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm possible!" - Audrey Hepburn 

Happy loofah-ing!

Something special - a memory

As the title states, today's post will be something special. Today marks the 6th of April 2011. My grandma's younger brother passed away yesterday. He's one year younger than my beloved grandma and my grandma is 81 this year. For those readers who aren't interested in this post, which isn't anything related to beauty - please just stop reading this instant. :) This post is something personal about me and something I would like to share with all of you out there who have special bonds with your love ones.


No one can run away from death, love, memories, bonds or relationships. Neither could I. My grandma and I formed special relationship since I was at a tender age. I was taken care by my grandma since I was a baby. I was a quiet baby but became a naughty and playful child. My grandma would always complain to my mum about mischievous escapades that I was up to. My mum response? It was time for the cane. Alas, my grandma would always shield me from my mum's beating while saying "She's just a child" over and over again in Hokkien (one of the Chinese dialect) until my mum stopped trying to hit me with the rattan cane. Ouch.


One memory I was most fond of was the time my grandma took me to the morning market on a bicycle. I would always wrap my hands around her body, feeling the wind across my face, looking at the scenery around me and hearing her joke or laugh about something. It was a morning ritual for the both of us. 


As years go by, my grandma aged and she became frail. She use to be the one that was stronger than everyone in the house, the one that cooked daily scrumptious meals and made all of us feel warm and homey. She was loved by all of us. As time pass, taking care of her needed time and patience. Especially when it comes to taking care of the elder ones. My grandma had 5 kids. Alas, it was the youngest child - my mother that took care of her. My grandma started slowly losing her memories about 2-3 years ago, my heart started to become more in pain.


Today, my aunt told me that she went to the temple to ask about my grandma. The person at the temple said there wasn't much time for my grandma left. That struck a chord in the bottom pits of my heart about the times I find myself having the impatience when I take care of her. I felt a pang of guilt, hurt and pain. Then I thought of the sweet memories that I had with my grandma... The memories that I could never replace. The times that my grandma tend to my needs and took care the rest of my four siblings. Who could ever replace her tender loving kindness? Not to mention that my grandma actually took care of 13 of her grandchildren, including me. That's a lot isn't it?


By now readers will be like, "What? That's bull crap, how could you believe such a thing?" I didn't believe whatever the person at the temple said, I just suddenly felt the spidery fear that crawled all over my heart if I had lost my grandma.


My point of this whole story was to remind you to cherish your love ones. No matter how many tears you shed after your love ones are gone, your tears would never resurrect them again. Please, fellow readers - love them, before it is too late. And please, repay kindness and love to those who have, had always love you. 

"Love them with all your heart" - Amanda Rouge

With love,