I hate dark spots. I have tried many different types of products to get rid of those sickening things but it seemed like the only was was to invest in foundations to temporarily cover them. However, at the end of the day once the makeup comes off, I 'm still left with my dark spots. Sigh!!
Why do we get dark spots?!
Aging, hormones, inflammation and exposure to UV rays product excess melanin, leaving dark spots on your skin, decreases collagen and increases pore sizes. Over time, your skin reduces its healthy radiance.
Melanin is also more noticeable on Asian skin because we have a thicker dermis, which is more prone to hyper pigmentation When exposed to UV rays, our skin produces extra melanin to protect the deeper layers. Over time, this excess melanin forms dark deposits on the skin.
Thank goodness for Elizabeth Arden! She has used her expertise in research, technology to come up with this Visible Whitening range developed for Asian skin to address these uneven skin tones!!
Featuring vitamin C derivatives and SpectraBright, a Hops extract originated from France and acts on reaction from UV light to control melanin production. With antioxidants, collagen, elastin boosters, pore reducers, diamond and pearl powders, you also get brighter, radiant skin.
Been using their cleanser, night care and illuminating eye serum and have seen improvement in brightness, radiance, tone and texture. Major plus is that it doesn't feel sticky or heavy on your skin!
Love Elizabeth Arden's new revamped holographic metallic silver packaging!! Too pretty!
BEST used with the entire skin regimen, but I picked out my favourite ones out of the range!
Cleanse - Visible Whitening Smoothing Cleanser ($55 for 125ml)
I *love* their cleanser in this range because it has melting micro beeds and enzymes to instantly remove surface melanin. My face feels instantly cleaner and appears brighter!
Brighten - Visible Whitening Illuminating Eye Serum ($85 for 15ml)
I find that I have some small dark spots around my eyes (your biggest critic is yourself), using this religiously until it reduces puffiness and brightens my eyes! To use, massage gently around your eyes and pat the area so your skin can absorb the full benefits :)
Night care - Visible Whitening Melanin Control Night Capsules ($140 for 50 capsules)
SpectraBright technology prevents melanin synthesis, and supports skin's natural and collagen elastin. Many people have bought these capsules and have eaten them. Do NOT eat them!! It does no good for your body if you do and it'll just come out the other way.
To use, please twist the top of the capsule until it breaks, squeeze a little product on your finger and smooth contents onto your cleansed face, then head to bed!
It's orangey inside
Something extra important to note about this range is that your skin needs to be protected from the sun because it's not producing melanin. Hence, it's essential to use sun block with this range. Elizabeth Arden has a Multi- Targeted UV Shielf BB Cream SPF 30 PA so you'll be taking care of your skin if you use the whole range!
I use Shade 2 and I'm happy with the sheer coverage which is good enough to look presentable at work!
Was also recently introduced to Elizabeth Arden's Lash + brow enhancing serum. If you've always wanted longer, fuller eyelashes or eyebrows, try them!! They're clinically tested to produce results in as little as 2 weeks if you've been using them daily.
Will continue using this until it's much more noticeable, but I can already see a difference!!
Thank you Elizabeth Arden!
Check out Biore's new facial foam on the right! It's a scrubbing cleanser, which is essential for you to use once a week to scrub away dead skin cells that have accumulated during the week!
Not only does it cleanse your skin, it also reduces oil at your T-zone and replenishes moisture along your cheek and chin!
Had some pimples that were about to form but after using this cleanser and scrub, it reduced in size! Very happy that my skin is more hydrated, my pores are less clogged and it also claims to lighten marks and blemishes using their Skin Purifying Technology!
Take a small amount of product and massage it onto your face! You can use more than this 10c coin amount I put above, that's just for starters. Make sure it foams up!
The Biore Facial Foam doesn't cause any damage to your skin, doesn't leave a residue, or over-drying effect, and vitalizes your skin. Use the cleanser daily, and the scrub once a week for 14 days, and you'll be able to see the effect :)
Here's a happy picture of me after washing my face with Biore!
Thanks Elfaine and Biore!
A while ago, The Body Shop sent me some of their products from their Limited Edition Chocomania Range! I was pleasantly surprised at having a chocolate range, and my first instinct was to wonder if ants might be attracted to me. Haha! (they weren't).
Chocomania Shower Cream ($14.90)
Before you head out, be sure to shower with their luxorious shower cream. It contains REAL cocoa butter, is soap-free and will not dry your skin.
This soap free cleanser contains a derivative from cocoa butter in Ghana. This means that The Body Shop's trade has helped to fund education and medicine for members and their families! Know that when you purchase a bottle, you're also indirectly helping these people.
HOW TO USE: Lather up in the bath or shower using hands. Rinse thoroughly
Chocomania Body Lotion ($21.90)
Now that your body smells fresh and chocolate-y, it's time to apply body lotion so the scent lingers throughout the day!
When
I first opened the bottle, I was greeted with a buttery scent, with
hints of chocolate. It's very light and smooth to apply with, and left
my skin feeling softer and smoother!
HOW TO USE: Massage into skin and allow the lotion to be absorbed by your skin before putting on your clothes.
Be sure to check these products out the next time you're at The Body Shop! Give them a whiff and you'll know what I'm talking about :)
Thank you so much The Body Shop! *hugs*
Remember that Erabelle x Vanity Trove event held at Erabelle VivoCity post HERE? I'm gonna share with you what's in August's Vanity Trove surprise!
LOTS of things in your Vanity Trove this month, this is going to be a long entry hahaha. Vanity Trove wants you to be the best you can be (without plastic surgery) so this month's Trove brings you internal boosts, skin perfection, make up products and feminine care!
Vanity Trove's August Rocket Science Beauty Edition
Internal boost
Inside your VanityTrove it contains Brands Innershine Berry Essence with Grape Seed Extract and Brands Innershine Prune Essence. I finished both Brands drinks already hahah; I was thirsty!! This drink improves bowel regularity and help relieve constipation. Feel healthier and more radiant with this drink!
Skin Perfection
- Scottish Fine Soaps Company Au Lait Body Milk and Bath and Shower Gel.
Not only does this range have a gorgeous smell, but it's organic milk with shea butter, cocoa butter and Vitamin E to give you SMOOTH skin, is gonna get you addicted!
Get a complimentary travel kit* worth $25 from The Scottish Fine Soaps Company for Vanity Trove Members who purchase at least $100 in a single receipt. Simply mention “VanityTrove” to counter promoters at Takashimaya Department Store, B1 to enjoy this
exclusive offer. Valid for the month of September 2012.
Origins Plantscription range
Using Origin's Cleanser!
The anti-aging serum is the number 1 Anti-ager created from over 5 years of research by
Origins. The serum is clinically proven to have 88% of the visible wrinkle-reducing power of a leading prescription wrinkle ingredient (aka as secret ingredient) without the harmful side effects. Just pat it on your face and neck and let it work its magic!
Sampar Glamour Shot Eyes
Trove also includes face peels! :)
This product promises to reduce dark circles and blur under-eye wrinkles/fine lines in 1 minute. My eye bags are huge and my eye rings are really dark. So am I convinced?My dark circles didn't COMPLETELY disappear (it would take a miracle) and I didn't really see a noticeable difference. Will apply this every day until I run out before I decide :P
How to use: Dab a bit of product under the eye. Lightly tap with 4th finger until the product is completely absorbed.
Test out and redeem this miracle-worker with the card found in your August trove from 1st to 19th August 2012 at Robinsons Centrepoint SAMPAR Counter!
Where to buy:
$54 for 10ml at Robinsons Centrepoint or sampar.sg/se/best-ofsampar/glamour-shot-eyes.html
A Morillins therapeutic mask
I think I look freaky here. But nvm. For the love of beauty blogging! But I made this picture small so you don't get a shock haha.
This Morillins mask contains Diamond Plaid technology and it is 100% organic! In my Trove, I got the Brightening + Tightening mask, containing Giga White to limits melanin production, lighten pigment spots and moisturises my skin! Another ingredient is the cornflower, is anti-inflammatory, soothes, firms and tightens the skin. When I opened the mask, I smelt like a herb-y smell, and the mask was a little smaller than others, not fully covering my cheek (or maybe I just have a big head) but the nose area and mouth was really well cut out to fully optimize my skin!!
After I removed it, I felt my skin become fresher and... cold! Which is a good thing so my pores are closed up again! :)
Make-up hauls
ACACI Vita-C Natural Powder
These Made in Korea products are still taking Singapore by storm. They sure do know how to work with Asian Skin! This beauty label under Chamos Cosmetics are made from natural ingredients and free from alcohol! Their Vita-C Natural powder is used to shrink pores, level out uneven skin tone and gives you glowing skin :P
How to use:
Take a small amount into the palm and mix it with your preferred basic skin care cream (water based) and apply evenly all over face.
Erabelle Eyebrow Design
As mentioned in my post HERE, I got to experience Erabelle's magical realm of Kimono-ladies and tailored look to my occupation and personality! So I was super happy to receive this in my Trove! Enjoy Erabrow Design (eyebrow analysis, tweeze, trim AND design) for only $18 (up to $29) PLUS receive 1 of Erabelle's Long Lasting Eyebrow Pencil worth $34.24!!! This is super value for money so I urge you to get one at all costs.
Ladies get to enjoy 50% off
their services with a voucher included with all purchases of August
troves.
Additionally, YOU can also enjoy 10% off services when you quote "Claire VanityTrove", especially for your readers.
Benefits of reading my blog :P I am also giving away Erabelle's Eyebrow Pencil HERE. Of course I embedded this in the middle of my blogpost for those who read everything to benefit! Hehe.
Biore Aqua Jelly Makeup Remover
This is REALLY good. Like, I was quite skeptical of it because normally cleansing milk products are used to remove make up, and this doesn't have milk in it (transparent!) But I was really surprised when my make-up came off effortlessly, just after rubbing the make up remover in a circular motion! Doesn't make your skin feel dry or oily after that too!
Feminine Hygiene
Oxypad
I know most girls would've heard of Sofy or Kotex or Laurier, but this Oxypad by Elo Health is worth checking out! With its special patented Oxygen Techologies, the Oxypad gives extra protection against bacteria, itch, and odour. What's more, it also has an unique Oxy-Warning Core that determines if you need an appointment with your gynaecologist soon! It's also really comfortable and soft, to ensures maximum protection. One box has like 125 pieces so you don't have to make too many trips to the pharmacy!
You might even forget you're even wearing one :X
goes to...
SocialHaus! Been hearing so many good reviews about it so was pretty happy when it was held there :) Michelle has been raving about this place so I shall head back another time for brunch!
Theme was sleepwear and I was happy for another opportunity to meet my blogger friends again!
Hi William!!
With Jasmine in an adorable Snoopy top!
Martin (my jc friend) drew on my pillow for me. Doesn't she look like me? He has mad skillz. Yuhao's drawing was also done by him, and Martin's pillow was designed by Yuhao!
With Selene, Bea and Yina! I shouldn't have worn sleepwear seriously they looked so glam!
Kiehl's wanted us to have the whole relaxing sleep-ready package, so they had shoulder and hand massages, scented tea tasting and some food for us to munch on! Each of us even had a sleeping mask and some packaged tea to bring home!
My favourite for the day was the Rose Tea!
Hayley and I enjoying the massage pampering :D
Some finger food for us to nibble on!
The Kiehl's Midnight Concentrate isn't a new product, it has been in the market for a while, but Kiehl's just wanted to share it with us because it's one of their best selling products!
Currently, the Midnight Recovery Eye and the Midnight Recovery Concentrate are my FAVOURITE night products to apply!
I HAVE to post this picture of Syek Yi up :X Hahahhah Don't kill me!
Initially, I was skeptical about applying products containing oil on my face. Won't that make my face oilier? I thought.
However, the concentrate adds essential and botanical oils, which aren't the same types of oil that clogs up your pores and causes pimples! Essential oils are highly concentrated substances extracted from plants that carries the distinctive essence of the plant, extracted using steam distillation. Botanical oils are oils obtained from plants that are fatty, dense and non-volatile, eg from roots, leaves, flowers, usually cold pressed or extracted by heat! So these are healthy oils!
The Midnight Recovery Concentrate restores your skin overnight using the essential and botanical oil blends. Lavender oil soothes inflamed/irritated skin and helps relieve stress and maintain emotional balance. Rose Essential oil improves skin-tone and conditions the skin by combating environmental damage and replenish skin oils! The evening primrose oil is rich in omega fatty acids which the body cannot produce on its own, which helps maintain hydration and elasticity
Midnight Recovery Concentrate: $90 for 30ml
The next morning after I've applied the Midnight Recovery Concentrate, I can feel a noticeable difference! My skin feels bouncier and softer, and has a healthier glowing sheen! Which explains why I've become addicted to applying it every night. The lavender smell is so rejuvenating as well!
How to apply? (Adapted to my preferences :P)
- Apply one drop of Midnight Recovery Concentrate on your index, middle and forth finger on your left/right hand
- Rub the other hand together to distribute the concentrate
- Inhale the smell. This helps to relax your body for better sleep!
- Press fingertips and pat concentrate onto your cheeks, forehead, chin and nose!
- If there's any excess, apply on your neck
Midnight Recovery Eye: $72 for 15ml
Midnight Recovery Eye contains Butcher's Broom (I know, when I heard this term I giggled too) which is known to increase microcirculation, to reduce puffiness and strengthens your delicate eye area overnight!
Hayley looking super cute here!
The eye recovery product also contains Squalane, Evening Primrose and Lavender to slow the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. My eyes have been looking fresher the morning after applying them! :D
Both Midnight Recovery products will definitely last for a VERY long time, since you're only using very little product each time! I've recently been catching myself poking my cheeks because it really feels bouncier #confession
Available at all Kiehl's counters in Singapore :)
Thank you Kiehl's for sharing such a wonderful product! :)
