Morning skincare routine (Sep 2016) and Review

I have always wanted to blog about my skincare routine as my friends have been asking me to share what I used. They are shocked but kind of expected that my routine consist of so many steps. LOL! I will do a mini review of the product I used as well.

As I always like to try out new product, below are what I am currently (to be exact, it was in Sep 16) using. Overtime (maybe by the time I post this. hehe..), the product I used may change. So, I may blog the same topic again but with different products :)

Step 1: Cleanse - Innisfree green tea cleansing foam

I choose this as the morning cleanser as it is quite gentle to the skin. Since my face is generally clean in the morning, I will need a gentle cleanser to cleanse and probably removed the skincare (E.g. leave on mask) used the night before. I tried the sample size and quite like it. So, bought this regular size when I was in Seoul in Apr. (Oops! I have yet blog about the trip. Hehe...)

(Left to right)

Step 2: Tone - HadaLabo Shirojyun Arbutin Whitening lotion

I tried the sample size and felt that it is effective in providing the whitening effect but yet moisturising and gentle to the skin. I use this with the arbutin milk when I was in New Zealand during their winter. My skin did not feel dry at all during the whole trip despite me have very dry nose that end up bleeding. HadaLabo is famous for their Goku-jyun Clear Lotion, but it feels too thick for me when I tried few years back. Now it seems more absorbent. Guess my skin is getting drier as I age. 

Step 3: Essence - SKII Facial Treatment Essence aka Miracle Water

My all time favourite! I consider this as my staple as i always fall back to this after i try new product or refraining myself from being too reliant on it.

Step 4: Eye care - Cosme Decorte Moisture Liposome Eye Cream

It's gel-like and leaves a slight sticky feel after applying but it does not affect the concealer that I apply thereafter. It is moisturising but I do not see the fine lines under my eyes fade after using it for a month.

Step 5: Spot Treatment - Mt Sapola Lavender essential oil

I have tried a few pimple/blemish gel. So far the best would be Origins Super Spot Remover™ Acne Treatment Gel. As I like to try new product and there was a period I am into essential oil, so I start using lavender oil as it is used to calm skin/senses. Love the scent!

Step 6: Serum - Innisfree green tea seed serum / Biochem

I also tried the green tea serum sample size and purchase the regular size thereafter. I feel my skin feels moisturise but not oily after using it. It absorb fast into the skin so I do not need to wait long to slap on my day moisturiser. However, after almost to the end of the bottle, I feel that it reach a plateau (when you do not see any noticeable improvement). As for the Biochem serum, I bought it through the official taiwan website after watching 女人我最大 where they recommended a few times. It is suppose to keep skin hydrated and prevents ageing. Frankly, I do not see any effect on me, so I use it on weekend for the purpose of finishing it. It comes in a glass bottle and usually I use half-pump. I tried full pump before but it takes too long to absorb. I bought the rose serum from Biochem also but have yet open, hope it will be good.

Step 7: Moisturise - HadaLabo Arbutin milk

I tried the sample size before purchasing the full size. As mentioned in Step 2, it it effective in whitening and moisturising. However, it reaches a plateau now. I am using it for the sake of finishing it.

Step 8: Sunblock - Clarins Sunscreen Multi-Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Bought Clarins in sample size as I had finished my Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight Lotion SPF 50+ PA+++ (30ml) which I had used for a few years as a replacement for the Clarins. But now I am doing a reverse as I would like to use Clarins again but it is temporary as I plan to get the Shiseido's sunblock at the airport when I travel next month. If not for the price, I would have stick to Clarins as it provides SPF50 and PA++++ and it does not affect my makeup thereafter.

Beauty Expert Haul and Review

Had a huge haul from BeautyExpert.com some time back. Mainly for Kérastase product. There was 25% discount so the haul. LOL! Had tried most of the product so I can do a review at the same time.

Let's start with shampoo.

(Left to right)

1. Kérastase Reflection Chroma Riche Bain Shampoo (250ml): I bought this shampoo for coloured for the same purpose as the mask mentioned earlier. It is for 'insurance' purpose. LOL! Kérastase products are consistent along the same range, be it their performance or scent. So, for this I have a similar verdict as the mask. As I have oily/sensitive scalp, I only use this shampoo on alternate days for the first month after I coloured my hair. There is no noticeable fading of hair colour. It does make my scalp feels oily faster along the day as compared to the oil control shampoo I use.
Scent: Pleasant

Texture: Purplish-red, transparent

Lather: Easy

Re-purchase: Maybe

2. Kérastase Spécifique Bain Stimuliste Gl (250ml): I have thinning hair problem and oily/sensitive scalp. So I bought this for the thinning issue. Not sure if I am using the correct product, my scalp does feel itchy after I use this. Wonder is the itchiness is due to my hair follicle 'wakening'. LOL! I'm not sure as I do not see my thinning problem resolved. Guess, thinning hair product needs longer time to see effect. However, I stop after trying for a month as the itch continues which I am worried that it could be my scalp is 'confused'. LOL!

Scent: Chemical scent, which is normal for hair thinning product

Texture: Milky white

Lather: Easy

Re-purchase: Maybe if I want to give it a try again

3. Kérastase Specifique Dermo-Calm Bain Riche Shampoo (250ml): This shampoo is meant for those who has sensitive scalp and dry hair. As mentioned above, I have this problem as well. So I use both the thinning hair shampoo and this on alternate days, hoping to target all problem areas. However, after trying out for a month, I do not see any improvement and my scalp continue to itch so I stop.

Scent: Fresh

Texture: Milky light blue

Lather: Easy

Re-purchase: Maybe if I want to give it a try again

(Top-left clockwise)

1. Kérastase Resistance Therapiste Soin Conditioner (200ml): Love this Conditioner!! I use this as a treatment rather than a conditioner as it feels very nourishing for my hair. This is the only conditioner that is to be use BEFORE shampooing the hair. I like the idea of conditioning before shampooing as it seems to feel cleaner. I like hair product to have strong scent (must be pleasant though. LOL!) so it will linger around longer. My hair feels soft even after blow dry and it is easier to straighten or curl my hair the next day.

Scent: Strong but pleasant

Texture: Creamy

Rinse-off: Easy

Re-purchase: Yes!

2. Kérastase Discipline Fondant Fluidealiste (200ml): This is an anti-frizz conditioner. It is the advanced version of the usual Oleo-Relax range (which is almost phase out). I do prefer the scent of the Oleo-Relax range. I find this scent too strong. The result is not what I expected also. I only feel that my hair is more manageable when it is still wet with the product. I do not feel much of a difference after blowing dry.

Scent: Strong and perfumy

Texture: Creamy

Rinse-off: Need extra effort

Re-purchase: No

3. Kérastase Reflection Masque Chroma Riche (200ml): This is a mask that I bought as an 'insurance' for my coloured hair. Haha... As I have coloured hair (usually light ash brown) throughout the year, I hope the colour can stay true as long as possible. I only use this on the first month after I colour my hair, around twice a week. In terms of colour stay, it seems alright since brown does not fade that fast compared to red. There is not much of a difference after blow dry.

Scent: Pleasant

Texture: Thick cream

Rinse-off: Easy

Re-purchase: Maybe

4. Kérastase Discipline Maskeratine (200ml): This is an anti-frizz hair mask. Like the conditioner mentioned above, it has very strong scent and result is not as expected. The frizziness is not tame despite using it twice a week and the rest of the days I use the conditioner.

Scent: Strong and perfumy

Texture: Thick cream

Rinse-off: Need extra effort

Re-purchase: No

(Left to right)
1. Kérastase Resistance Therapiste Serum (30ml): This is the serum to be used on damp shampooed hair. There are 2 types of serum when pumping out the product - one is oil base and the other is creamy. I can feel the difference immediately after applying this product. My hair is tangle-free and soft. After blow drying, my hair feels smoother and soft. I love the scent too! Guess I like this range of product :) However, I find it expensive for a 30ml.

Scent: Strong but pleasant

Texture: Oily/Creamy

Rinse-off: N/A

Re-purchase: Maybe, because it is expensive

2. Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique (150ml): I use this on damp shampooed hair, before blow drying. I like the pleasant scent and it leaves my hair tangle-free. After blow drying, my hair is less frizzy and smooth. However, the effect is not as good as the serum mentioned above. But given the price, it is worth it.

Scent: Strong but pleasant

Texture: Milky

Rinse-off: N/A

Re-purchase: Yes

3. Kérastase K touche finale polishing serum (30 ml): So far I have been using this during mid day in the office when I need to tame my frizz. I usually use 2 pumps on dry hair. Though it helps to tame the frizz but it does not last long. Frequent re-application is required.

Scent: Strong but pleasant

Texture: Oily-silicony

Rinse-off: N/A

Re-purchase: No

Bought the Real Techniques sponge (Top) after reading some raves about it. People were saying that it works similar to that of Beautyblender sponge but the angled part of the sponge makes it more versatile. I do not have a Beautyblender sponge to make comparison but feel that this sponge that I bought is very easy to use. However, when it comes to cleaning, it requires at least 2 times of cleansing with sponge detergent.

The Loreal False Lash Architect mascara came free. There was a promotion for buying Kerastase product and get this mascara for free.

Sephora Haul (Oct 16 Private sales)

It's another Sephora haul again! Have been anticipating for the private sales since the last sale in May. Haha... Somehow, I always have things to buy =D

As usual, I had been eyeing for things to buy throughout the 4-day sales and this time it is both online and in store. I still prefer shopping at the physical store as I can bring back the purchase immediately. For online, I waited for about 1 week to see my purchases. One of my purchase was left out and for one of the online purchase and that takes another week. That is why I am only able to share my haul now.

(Top left clockwise): Dr. Jart+ Mask Micro Jet Brightening Solution (1pc, $9), First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser (56.7g, $17), Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray (30ml), Beauty Blender Original ($32 each), Estelle & Thild Biocleanse 3 in 1 Cleansing foam ($38), Laneige Multi-cleanser Ex, Caviar CC cream, Caudalie Grape Water (75ml, $11), Bliss Multi-Face-Eted All-In-One Anti-Aging Clay Mask (3 sachet), Makeup Forever Ultra HD Pressed Powder Mini, Chole Signature Rollerball ($35), Clarisonic brush head, Radiance ($42 each)

These are purchases through online. (Left to right): Zoeva Concealer brush in 144 ($15), Sigma Large Angled Contour in F40 ($33), Sigma Tapered Highlighter Brush in F35 ($35), Sigma Small Tapered Blending Brush in E45 ($23), Beauty Blender Micro Mini ($29), Clarisonic brush head, Radiance ($42 each), Erno Laszlo White Marble Treatment Bar ($70)

(Top left-clockwise): Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Light ($40), Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15 in Rose (4.3g, $36), Boscia Sake Brightening Hydrogel Mask (1 pc, $12), Clarins Extra Firming Treatment Essence (200ml, $83)

Online purchases. (From Left to right): Sephora Lotus Mask (Free as this was delivered to me by mistake), Yves Rochor Fresh Rose Body Lotion (200ml, $15), MOR Emporium Classics Lychee Flower Handcream (100ml), thisworks Perfect Cleavage-firming lotion ($74)

Online purchase. DrGL. The Lightening Pack ($74)