Toss it Tuesdays #1: Lip Smacker Fanta Orange

I’ve been thinking of trimming my stash for a while now; it’s overflowing and absolutely insane for one person but the hoarder in me can’t bear to get rid of things. But I’m moving out of my parents’ house in 8 months and they’re having a major renovation next month, so I suddenly had the urge to purge. I should be a lot more ruthless, but one item a week is all I can do to stop myself from putting it all back! I usually lump these in the empties post but they are not exactly “empty” – and I think it’s good to know about the things that we actually don’t manage to run through!

The first to get tossed out is this Lip Smacker Fanta Orange. I imagine that there will be lots of lip balms in the toss it posts because I have so much lip balms that I don’t use anymore. This is old, very old. I barely used it because I liked how it smelt in the stick, but I absolutely hated it on my lips with that sickly artificially sweet scent. It also didn’t make my lips feel moisturised. It hasn’t changed in texture or smell, but I don’t think I will ever use it other than the occasional take-it-out-and-sniff-and-put-it-back. I think this is actually my very first and only lip smacker, and I don’t think I will be getting more soon.

Unboxing: LookFantastic Beauty Box August 2015

It’s unboxing time again! This is the last box of my 6-month plan for the LookFantastic beauty box; so this will be the box that helps me to decide whether I will continue with this subscription… let’s dig in and see if it deserves another chance!

Midweek Peek: The Exfoliating Toners in Rotation

Toners – they used to be the second step to cleansing. I remember when I first started being interested in skincare and makeup, makeup cleansers had a cream consistency which I use with some cotton wool; I had to follow it up with an astringent toner to remove the remains of the lotion and remaining residue. Nowadays, cleansers are so different – with the no-need-to-rinse-off micellar waters, cleansers are doing such a good job that toners have had to evolve too. And evolve they have.

This week I wanted to show a little peek of the exfoliating toners I’m currently using. These toners do more than just simply cleansing or freshening – they help to exfoliate the skin. There are many more types of toners – anti-spot, moisturising, clarifying, soothing, but today’s post is all about the exfoliating toners. I love them before and after my monthly periods when my skin feels more congested; they help to keep breakouts at bay – I still get pimples but not as bad as when I’m not using them.

First up is the Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner, which I’ve shown in another midweek peek. I really need to get cracking on with a review for this – this is great but a little milder than the next. Alpha-H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid is the one I reach for when I need a serious boost in my skin condition – my skin looks really great if I’m consistent with using this, but I can’t use it everyday as it makes my dry skin even more dry. The Pixi Glow Tonic with Aloe Vera & Ginseng is something that I picked up after reading Caroline Hirons recommend, but sadly this did nothing for me.

What exfoliating toners do you use?

The 5Min Review: Migabee Energy Ampoule

Sometimes I just love reading the translations on foreign-made products. This Migabee Energy Ampoule is claimed to be “the solution to honey making skin”… well I like honey so I guess it means something good! It goes on to claim “Royal Bee’s solution helps protect the skin from external stress. It will accelerate soothing and help skin revitalize itself.” I got this from the Memebox Special #50 Step-by-Step Skincare box and they claimed the value to be USD30.

First of all the packaging is excessive. Just look at the paper box and the tiny tube! There’s only 12ml of product for the full size. I had to take photos of the product a few weeks ago because I was worried that I’ll finish using it in no time – and I was right; just 2 weeks in and I’ve used up 2/3 of it. The bottle is a nice clear glass, with a pipette which I thought didn’t work well for the texture – it’s hard to control the amount of product because it keeps getting ‘sucked’ back when you release the squeezy-bit.

Ampoules are supposed to contain high concentrations of extracts and tend to be thicker than essences or serums. This can be used on its own, or added to another serum; I’m usually too lazy to be a mad scientist in the evening so I just use it like a serum. The product is a bit gooey or gel-like; kind of like regular honey. Applied, it leaves a slightly wet-sticky feeling, but it’s not too uncomfortable and it’s not oily. It doesnt feel too heavy on even in a hot climate.

Would I purchase it for USD30? For 12ml of product, I think it’s overpriced. In terms of skincare benefits, I think this locks in moisture well and does feel quite soothing but that is all; I didn’t see any of the anti-inflammatory benefits that usually goes with honey. I like it but don’t love it and I don’t think I will pay USD30 because if the effect is just simply “soothing” because then a simple moisturiser would do.

Midweek Rant: “Tricks” and “Tips” I wish other Bloggers/Vloggers would Stop

Today’s post is slightly different – I’ve just seen so many “tricks” and “tips” being suggested over and over again by bloggers/vloggers that really doesn’t work that great in real life, or isn’t universally applicable, that I just had to say something. If you’re not open to listening about criticisms, please click away – I am not trying to be mean; I am voicing out my opinions and I did not name names.

I just find that it’s getting very common for one blogger/vlogger to echo another without actually thinking, especially when they’re trying to ‘pair’ up with each other and the same story for people who reads/watches them. So we have 100 videos saying the same thing over and over again until it becomes like a “must-do” but what works for one person doesn’t always work for another!

The 5Min Review: Unni Recipe Vitamin Recharger Mist

One thing about living in Singapore is that you are always hot. Not hot, like supermodel hot – but sweat-dripping hot. Where I work there are no indoor canteens or shops, so I have to walk out under the hot sun for lunch. I like keeping a mist on my work table to freshen up after lunch. I received this Unni Recipe Vitamin Recharger Mist in the Memebox Global Edition #16.

Empties #22: July 2015 – Part 2

As usual, here comes Part 2 of July’s empties! I like to cut my empties post into 2 posts because they’re much easier to do up. I try to comment on how much I like the products since I have used them up so I have a pretty good idea; sometimes it’s also for my own reference – so I can check back about how much I liked something and if I should repurchase them. So every empties post is like doing 10-15 mini reviews – which is not that easy I tell ya! Anyway, let’s get cracking on!

Empties #22: July 2015 – Part 1

It’s time for July’s empties! O. M. G. This is insane! I probably say this every month but time just flew by. Sometimes there’s a positive side to time flying by – because there’s less time to harp on nasty things. I’ve been working like mad to avoid the fact that I don’t enjoy my current workplace. I have made plans to move on but I’m working on them – I just need some time to make sure everything is in place, which means I just have to bear with it for a few more months. Anyway, let’s get to the empties!

Midweek Peek: The Best Advertising Mailer

Because of the number of beauty brands memberships I have, I receive tons of advertising mailers. But this mailer from Sulwhasoo is the best that I have received in a while! Most mailers invites you to some event, or allows you to exchange it for a tiny sample if you go down to their boutique – I hate the latter because I have to make my way down for some tiny samples, and they will ‘force’ you to purchase something on top of it; it’s rarely a good experience so I usually don’t bother.

Unboxing: So Susan Lip Love Bag – July 2015

Oh hi! It’s yet another unboxing! And it’s also another lip bag! July has turned out to be the month that practically rained lip products! I’ve received 2 sets of Lip Monthly and 2 sets of So Susan Lip Love in July! I only just received the June bag about 2 weeks ago, because of some delay – but this month’s was extremely on time (considering the shipping time from the UK to Singapore)!

This month’s theme: “July celebrates life in the most joyous ways… Summer picnics with best friends, running barefoot across the lawn, ice creams & balloons, a cold drink under the hot sun, and most of all, being able to say I am here, I am happy and Life is beautiful…”