Always Youthful

My Birthday is coming up. A milestone birthday I dread, but getting more comfortable with the idea. Most people I meet are shocked to find out my age. Here are some of my beauty tips for looking youthful.. I do credit a lot of genetics and race though because both my parents took a long time to look their age.

1) Drink Water
2) Drink Tea
3) Eat Greens
4) Dance
5) Yoga
6) Smile, Laugh, Joke around
7) C'est la vie! Be easy going
8) Invest in regular facials - about 1x a month
9) Good quality skincare - wear SPF!
10) Don't bake your skin in the sun - those years in SoCal didn't help my skin
11) No Smoking
12) Exfoliate 2-3x a week
13) Moisturize
14) Exercise
15) Sleep 6-10 hours a night
16) A face mask once a week

What's in my bathroom?

Ritual. We all have a daily regiment that becomes our daily ritual for keeping our selves clean and feeling beautiful from the inside out.
My beauty ritual these days consist of products that are helping my combination skin battle sensitive areas, oily areas, occasional acne, dry areas in the humidity of Singapore.

1) Current Facial Cleanser: White Tea gel cleanser by Korres

I like the smell of this cleanser. White tea is a strong antioxidant and this cleanser delivers by cleansing skin without drying out the skin.
I've used this cleanser in the past and have returned to it for the past couple months because my skin has gone through a change (perhaps due to my impending birthday?) this year due to relocating halfway around the world and the humidity level here. The cleanser does the job of cleaning my skin without stripping it dry and causing more oil production to create acne flare ups.
I also like the fact that this cleanser has no parabens and Korres doesn't do any animal testing.








2) Current Moisturizer: Discontinued Korres Materia Herba moisturizing gel

Will be switching to more moisturizing gels here in Singapore b/c creams feel too heavy for daytime.



3) Current Sunscreen: Kate Somerville SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen

My favorite sunscreen because it just disappears onto my skin without that weird white chalky greasy mess some sunscreens leave after application. It feels light enough to layer over the top of serum and moisturizer.












These three products are my basics. The following I use on a weekly as-needed basis.

4) Serum: Tatcha deep brightening serum
Please read my previous post on the Tatcha line.


5) Exfoliation: Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Polish by REN

This exfoliator is awesome. The beads are so tiny and it feels more like a polish cream than a polish. I've been on the market for an exfoliator that feels like this for so long and I've tried quite a number of different brands. This one also smells awesome!
I use it about 2-3 times a week on an as needed basis - depends on how grimy I get from wandering around, working out, dancing, shopping, walking, etc.














6) Mask: Dr Hauschka's Rejuvenating Mask

This is my recent addition to my beauty weekly ritual. I've only used it once and so far, I like it. The mask is calming and soothing to my skin. I think it also made my skin feel a softer and brighter afterward.
The downside is the price for this small tube and the fact that I have to leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes.
I plan on using this mask about once a week.








7) Eye cream: Enlivening Amino-AG Eye treatment by Boscia

This eye cream feels like silk and I definitely use eye cream for those days I don't get enough sleep, had been drinking the night before, before & after a plane ride.














Disclaimer: None of the images belong to me, they all belong to the skincare companies mentioned and linked back to their website.

Winter beauty tips

The weather is getting colder and the chilly winter weather is going to creep in faster than we can sing "Auld Lang Syne". I have been getting compliments on my skin lately. I think its partly being able to keep up w/ my facial appointments, cleaning my skin before I go to bed at night, eating healthier and switching to more organic and vegetarian diet.

Here are my skincare tips:

1. Exfoliate 2-3 times a week. I like LaRocca's exfoliating cleanser. I also like Dermalogica's daily Microfoliant. Both of them are not stripping the skin of its natural moisture and gently exfoliates to reveal more beautiful and brighter skin. I alternate between these two exfoliators each week depending on my mood.
























2. Face Mask 1-2 times a week. On days when I am going out or just trying to make a good impression but don't want to wear any make up. I put on a face mask for about 10-15 minutes. I like LaRocca's 24k Cocoa Gold Vitamin Mask and C.O. Bigelow's Brown Sugar Crystal.

















3. Drink Naked Juice Green Machine or have 2 servings of green vegetables everyday. I'm serious. I've been drinking Green Machine and or having 2 servings of green vegetables everyday for six months now. Not only is it good for your health. It boosts your immunity. It also helps your skin achieve a certain vitality.