5 products for summer that I currently love

Summer is here! Its hot EVERYWHERE (unless you live in the Southern hemisphere in which case, its winter for you!). Make up melts if you put too much on. The trick is to use multitasking products and don't cake it on. Since its be really gross here in Singapore with the hazardous levels of haze/smog/smoke from the nearby forest fires in Sumatra, I've been doing some skincare rituals at home to make sure that my pores aren't clogged 24/7 yet keeping everything simple.

1) Nutriganics Foaming cleanser by The Body Shop

I've been using this foaming cleanser for about a month now and like how light this feels. Its $26.90 SGD so it won't break the bank and its part of The Body Shop's Nutriganics line.
















2) Origins Make a Difference moisturizer

This moisturizer blends right in and light for daily use but can also be layered on for more moisture at night. I use it both a.m. and p.m. as well as on my neck. I like the fact that it isn't greasy or sticky.

















3) Josie Maran's Broad Spectrum SPF+40 lotion

Its not so easy to find a sunscreen that is light, watery, and blends right in without that white, greasy, sunscreen smell, and heavy texture. When my Kate Somerville sunscreen serum ran out, I started using this. Its lighter than the Kate Somerville sunscreen and smells like her argan oil products (a little like a kid's multivitamin).













4) Urban Decay Naked 2 eyeshadow palette

I really like this palette because there's so much you can do with it. I like to play around with the darker colors to be used as a liner. With all the hype that has everyone coveting the Naked palettes this one certainly lives up to its fame. I'm not a big fan of palettes with colors that you probably won't use. You'd love this one because ALL the colors in this palette is beautiful.













5) VMV Hypoallergenics Ooh-La-Lash Volumizing Mascara

I can't say enough good things about this mascara. This mascara is hypoallergenic, 100% dye free, non-comedogenic, and best of all it works really well! It doesn't smear, coats the lashes to create beautiful feathery long lashes and doesn't make my lashes fall out.















All opinions regarding these products are my own personal opinions alone. The pictures are taken from the companies websites which are linked to this blog. No companies or product endorsements here.

Nude Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are such a necessity and I'm not brand-loyal when it comes to my bathroom cabinet. I like to try different products but there are a few standouts in the facial cleanser department. I was recently using Nude skincare's Purify Cleansing Wash and absolutely loved how gentle but effective this cleanser is. It would clean off the day's grime and melt away make up. I could even open my eyes while applied it in circular motion all around my face. Reminds me a little of Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser.  The ingredient list on this product isn't super long and this product is paraben-free.

In regards to cruelty-free and animal testing, this company does NOT test on animals and attempts to use ingredients that are not tested on animals however, they don't have the cruelty-free stamp because I guess some of the ingredients they have used have at some point been tested in a lab but not anymore. *sigh*

I did find the following information on their website though:

NUDE never tests on animals. When selecting the ingredients to be used in our cosmetic products, NUDE requires raw material suppliers to provide safety information based on scientifically accepted alternative testing methods that meet international safety standards and regulations. NUDE products must meet both consumers' needs and consumer safety, while respecting animal life. NUDE continues to strongly support & favour alternative testing and is committed to following all animal testing laws and regulations in order to ensure our products' safety for the end consumer.

Each country has its own specific regulations that are regularly updated. NUDE’s parent company, LVMH, has always been actively involved in the search for alternative testing methods for many years and supports several industry research programs, including those conducted by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, the European Chemical Industry Ecology and Toxicology Centre (ECETOC), the European Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (COLIPA) and the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).

NUDE is against cruelty to animals. It is our goal to be as transparent and honest with our customers as possible. We believe the "cruelty free" certifications provide unclear explanations to consumers, as it implies that none of the ingredients incorporated into products have ever been tested on animals. This is a nearly impossible certification for any cosmetic company to make. We prefer to be able to stand 100% behind our claims.

NUDE does not test our cosmetic products on animals and we require our raw material suppliers to provide safety information based on scientifically accepted alternative testing methods. It is nearly impossible for any cosmetic company to certify that all new and existing ingredients incorporated into products have never been tested on animals as part of the safety research and certification process. NUDE selects high quality raw materials with well-established safety records and uses an extensive ingredient database. NUDE is committed to maintaining the highest standards of human safety while eliminating the need for testing on animals.

I think they are in the right direction though. They are actively not looking at ingredients that are routinely tested on animals but also state that they are not positively sure that the particularly ingredients they have used in their products have never been tested on animals in the past.

With that being said, I believe the EU has recently banned animal testing in labs and this is a UK based company. I think it is a step in the right direction to be conscious about the animal-cruelty that goes on in labs across the globe just for human consumption. Baby steps is still better than no steps at all to becoming a conscious beauty consumer. I love my bunnies too much. 

Feeling Fugly so I did my face and hair

Yea - I got bored. I'm really looking for a bright Teal eyeliner. I think Teal and Mint are the next "It" color.
I am using a green liner for the bottom for this look. I think this would look better with a bright teal liner. I am using quite a bit of volumizing products here but in the humidity of Singapore, my hair is still falling flat. (Missing the colder weather in NYC!) I also curled my hair to get the sexy "bed hair" look. I've gone back to using bronzer and a blush/bronzer for my cheeks because I am too pale these days (too hot to go outside) and working long hours in the dance studio. My favorite eye shadow by Laura Mercier's Luster Eye Color in Chocolate is an amazing color that is great for contour, smokey eyes, and even eyeliner (with a small brush). Unfortunately, this color has been discontinued (why!?!) so the only place to purchase it is Amazon.


 

Party look with brownish bronze and army green

I've created this brownish-bronze-army green smokey eye look that would be perfect for  a dinner and post-dinner drinks.

Using my little sister as a guinea pig, I started with a base color from lash to lid. Then I with a flat tipped brush I took the brownish sparkly shadow and lightly ran it across the upper lash line with more color deposit on the outer corner. I then used my smoky eye brush from Sephora to "smoke" it upwards to the crease line blending it up and out and deposited the darkest color on the outer section. I kept layering until my desired effect. The tip is to have a light hand and then make it as dark as you are comfortable with or for the right occasion.

Using a smaller tipped brush I lined the lower lash line with the same rule as the top lid. Lighter in the inner corner to Darker in the outer corner. I like eyes to have this gradient of color. I think it looks more natural.

I used a sparkly bronze for her middle lid and tapped it with a flat brush for that brightening effect. For the inner corners I used a sparkly gold color.

Lining the upper lash line with an army green liner and the outer lower lash line with the same liner. I added dimension to the lower lash line by using the same bronze shadow with a tiny brush from the inner corner to the middle of the lash line. 

Finishing off by curling her lashes and a few coats of lengthening mascara.

Photo Credit: Alaine Handa
Make up artist: Alaine Handa  

What's in your bathroom: Sarah

I asked a few of my female friends what they currently use as part of their skincare ritual on a daily and weekly basis. This is my friend Sarah's skincare ritual.

Skincare profile: surface oily and dry underneath, early 30s, combination, sensitive, acneic skin

"Since starting this anti aging regiment, I have much less need to do masks/exfoiliants since I am doing that practically every day. But I will use philosophy microdelivery peel every once in a while and the boscia black mask every once in a while. like...once a month or once every 2 months."

Current ritual

1) Cleanser: Bare Escentuals Purifying Facial Cleanser
She says "Non foaming cleanser that cleans deeply but doesn't strip too badly. its not as soothing as milky cleansers but its a good bridge product for the oily. I still can't cleanse with something that would leave me without that CLEAN feeling."

2) Serum: CSI Vitamin C + 12% Youth Serum
She says "Great brightener, clear serum, no orangey stuff to deal with."

3) Sunscreen: Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46
She says "Very light sunscreen-a zinc oxide based physical sunscreen, goes on clear."

OR EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41  
This one is lightly tinted

4) Moisturizer: CSI Super Hyaluronic moisturizing cream 
She says that this cream is "non greasy" and gets "no breakouts" from using it.

OR Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
She says "for super dry days/nights which I am continually shocked I am having as I get older."

5) Eye Cream: CSI Recovery Eye Cream with Vitamin K & Arnica
This is her response to this eye cream "smells amazing. I'm pretty sure nothing really works to help eyes but this one has some vit. k for dark circles and its super soothing and moisturizing without being too heavy. No milia."

Additional Products Sarah uses:

6) Reviva labs 5% glycolic acid cream 
"nothing has done more for keeping my face smooth and bright as this cream. There is also a 10% formulation I will eventually move up to."



7) CSI multipeptide antiwrinkle serum 
"on the lines between my eyes and marionette lines. this thing works. 6 peptides, hyaluronic acid. it firms and tightens."
 


THANKS FOR SHARING SARAH!

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.

Geisha beauty

Geisha women are perceived to be the ultimate in beauty, poise, and elegance in feudal Japan. When I was approached by the folks at Tatcha, they sent me samples of their star products. I've had a couple months to try out the products since they were samples and easy to travel with.
My favorite items include: Classic Rice Enzyme Powder, Deep Brightening Serum, and the Moisture Silk Cream

Classic Rice Enzyme Powder

This is one of their bestsellers and I can see why. The powder is mixed in with a bit of water in your palm and it becomes a silky creamy exfoliator!  Since moving to the tropics, my skin has gone haywire and became fairly sensitive to the environment. All the grime from walking around in a hot/humid (translation: ALWAYS sweating!) urban climate has made my skin look less than ideal. I have to keep up with a skincare regime of exfoliation 1-2 times a week so I don't get clogged pores. I tried this powder out and like how gentle and soft it feels against my sensitive skin. I'm always on the lookout for exfoliators that are super gentle on sensitive skin but also clears the skin of dead skin cells.

Deep Brightening Serum
I've always been a fan of serums. I think its because I like the texture of most serums. It just melts into the skin without feeling sticky or heavy like moisturizers and creams. This serum is no different. The lightweight texture and the fact that it does indeed brighten up my dull complexion (especially if I haven't gotten enough sleep!). This didn't irritate my sensitive skin so its good for all skin types. Whats different about this serum though is the fact that it does moisturize well for a serum. You could probably get away with using this serum without layering moisturizer on top of it if you have really oily skin or on a super hot/humid summer day.

According to the Tatcha website: Non-irritating. Non-sensitizing. Dermatologist tested. Formulated without mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, PEGs, PPGs, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates.

Moisture Silk Cream
As mentioned above, I'm not a big fan of heavy creams/moisturizer. I was a little skeptical about trying this moisturizer out because of its name. When I opened the little container, I was surprised to find that its surprisingly light! I've been using it as my day moisturizer for the past couple months and noticed my fave becoming less splotchy from the environmental changes.  According to the Tatcha website, this product contains silk extract, ginseng root, green tea, red algae, and Japanese rice bran extracts. Silk extract acts as moisturizer and binding element so the skin is able to retain moisture. Ginseng root is an antioxidant that promotes elasticity and prevents premature aging. Green tea, red algae, and rice are soothing to the skin. No wonder my skin is repairing itself from all the environmental changes.





The only downside I have about this skincare is that its fairly expensive and I'm not sure if its available in Singapore!
If you're not ready to commit and want to try it out or traveling quite a bit, Tatcha has a sampler set for sale at $49. It contains quite a generous amount of product to last you at least 3-4 weeks.




Disclaimer: Products in this blog post were received by the skincare company Tatcha, however I did not receive any monetary compensation nor incentive to write a positive review of their products. All opinions and reviews are entirely my own and based on my own experiences with the products given to me. I only reviewed products that I was excited about and worked for me.