Sunscreen # 2

Hello lovelies! :)

It's summer time so I thought that it would be a good time to share my latest favourite sunscreen. :)

Before this, I have always been using the SUNPLAY Skin Aqua Moisture Gel SPF25 PA++. Please do check out my sunscreen tips, tricks and review (here).

I loved the Skin Aqua Moisture Gel because it was so light weighted and it didn't feel like I was applying anything  on my skin. I dislike that papery feeling generic sunscreens give me. Thus, it was like heaven to find a sunscreen that suited me well.

HOWEVER, a few months back - the company changed the formula and it became a milky instead of a gel consistency. I was appalled because I didn't stock up before they made a change! Nevertheless, I gave the new formula a chance and bought it. To my dismay, I felt that papery and sticky feeling I dislike. I bought the same bottle twice at another drugstore just to test my luck if there was any old formula sunscreen around. 

The answer was no.It was still the new formula.

~~~~~~~

Anyway, let's get on with a new sunscreen that I have discovered three months back. It's called the Biore UV Daily Care Gel SPF 28 PA ++. 

It has a white gel consistency when applied and it dries really quickly. Usually, when I apply sunscreen I would rub the product with both of my hands to get an even application.

With this product however, it can't be rubbed between your hands for a long time. It dries really quickly due to the alcohol content. It has to be quickly applied onto the skin. 

In other words, it's like you can't have a little gel left on the palm of your hands before you apply it on your skin. You have to slap it on with pretty a lot of product and rub it on the area applied. I can't really explain it in words but I hope that you do understand what I mean. And you will get it even more if you experience it for yourself.

It cost RM 29.90 for 120 ml which is more in content compared to the SUNPLAY versions with the same price. And I like it really much and I hope you guys do too.

Have a beautiful summer!

P.S - Remember to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you are exposed to the Sun. And reapply every 2-3 hours. 

"Be positive and smile, that's all you got to do to be beautiful" - Amanda Rouge

Yours truly,

Esmeria Organics (Hair)

Hello everyone! How are you doing?

I stumbled upon the Esmeria Organics Butterfly Bush Frequent Use Shampoo few months ago after liking their acne cleanser. If interested, check out my review (here). 

As I am typing this, it's my second bottle of this shampoo and I am still liking it. The price of this shampoo is RM39.90 with 250ml. I bought mine at a discount at SHINS (Malaysia), go check it out and hopefully for you the Esmeria range sales are still going on. :)

Yes, no doubt it's so much pricier than a regular shampoo. But because it is organic and as I scanned through the ingredients list, I knew that I gotta try this product at least once.

Furthermore, I realised that this shampoo (the only one I have tried so far) does the job well and is not as pricey as the other organic natural shampoos that I have encountered. I have seen some that were around RM 80 and I have tried their sample to compare. I did not like it because it doesn't lather well (making me feel like my hair isn't clean enough), the ingredient lists had some chemicals that I did not like and it was way too pricey for me.

And so, for me this shampoo is a steal! 

At the back of the bottle it says:

• Remove grime and grease while nourishing your hair with Esmeria's Frequent Use Shampoo. 
• Swiss mountain water and Aloe Vera soothe and hydrate the scalp.
• Alpine Butterfly Bush and Common Thyme moisturise and provide anti-oxidants.
• Gentle plant derived cleansers remove impurities without drying out hair and scalp.

Here's the ingredients list:

Aqua, decyl glucoside, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, xanthan gum, tocopherol, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, citrus dulcis (sweet orange) oil, glycerin, buddleja davidii (butterfly bush) extract, thymus vulgaris (thyme) extract, coco glucoside, glyceryl oleate

As you can see, the number of ingredients used are not as plenty as your regular shampoo from the drugstore.For me, I was appalled as I scanned through the ingredients of my regular shampoo - there were at least 5 chemicals that I did not know where it was from and all of them sound so unnatural. If you don't believe me, just check out the ingredients of your regular shampoo.

I usually do not like organic shampoos because I feel they don't lather well enough on my hair. I have fine yet thick straight hair that needs a good washing. I was pleasantly surprised that this shampoo does lather well when it is applied thoroughly and massaged on my hair. 

The shampoo has a pale green liquid-y consistency, almost watery-like. It has a light and pleasant scent. After washing, you'll notice that it leaves your hair squeaky clean. Initially, I was put off by the lack of smoothness of my hair that regular shampoos provide. I realised then it was because the ingredients are natural. And they do not have harsh chemicals that makes my hair smooth... artificially - I should say?

Just for your information:

I do not use this shampoo all the time. Whenever I wash my hair, I find that my hair gets "used to" the shampoo if I use it frequently.

I switch it up with other drugstore shampoos. For an example, I wrote a review about a shampoo called Asience, check out my review (here).

I use this shampoo as a clarifying shampoo by mixing it with 1 tablespoon of baking soda once a week. It helps to remove all the build up of chemicals of hair product from my hair. If interested in the many uses of baking soda, check out it out (here). Baking soda does a magnificent job in keeping my pimples at bay. :)

When using with baking soda, you'll realise that your hair becomes somehow stiff and not smooth but that's normal after washing. After applying your conditioner, your hair should be fine. :) Try a teaspoon or two for the first few times and see if you would like to add more to your weekly regime.

That's all for now. I hope you enjoyed my review. If you have any questions please do leave friendly comments below . :)

P.S - I would be only updating in another month or so. My examinations are coming. I hope that you understand. :) Thank you. 

"First of all, understand yourself first before expecting anyone to understand you. You are your very own best friend." - Amanda Rouge

Until then.

Have a nice day and take care,

Calamine Lotion

It's been an extremely long time since my previous update. I am truly sorry. I am pretty occupied with my studies and I hope that you guys can understand that. :) I will do my very best to update as frequently as I can. So please be patient with me. Thank you!

I've again discovered another pimple zapper. I'm really happy that it's affordable and effective.Sometimes, pimple zappers are really frustrating because they are expensive and they do not work.

This calamine lotion prevents any of my pimples from popping out and greeting everyone I meet. I'm sure that you guys want that too. It has kept my skin visibly clear for a week now.

Just do remember to always switch up your acne products because your skin is very strong and gets accustomed to products easily. My tip is to switch it up once a week.

It is in liquid form and has a pretty pale pink shade. It dries up really quickly when in contact with air. It has a papery texture after it has dried on your skin. The calamine lotion that I am using is called Polylab Calamine Lotion (contains BP15% w/v) . It doesn't really matter what brand of calamine lotion you use.

Benefits of calamine lotion:

• Clearing acne. Also prevent any spots from appearing and speeds up clearing process. 
• Prevents any skin discoloration and acne scar
• Treating contact dermatitis 
• Soothe itchiness of chicken pox and prevent new formation of spots
• Treating poison ivy/oak/sumac.
• Treating sunburn
• Cures eczema

How to apply:

1. Ensure that you have cleansed your face beforehand.
2. Using the tip of your index finger, place it at the opening of the nozzle. 
3. Gently tilt the bottle to slowly get the solution out.
4. Apply it on your pimples. 

** Make sure to only apply it before you go to bed or when you're very sure that you aren't going to be seen. It has a very visible white colour once it is applied on your skin and you might scare off your neighbors.

If you do need to go out, just wash the applied area with water and the lotion should disappear.

So please do let me know if this lotion works for you. I would really love to know how my tips and tricks work for you.

"When you're overwhelmed, stop whatever you're doing and take a deep breath." - Amanda Rouge

Take good care!