Monday, November 30, 2015

CNP Laboratory Anti-Pore Black Head Clear Kit

Hailing all the way from Korea, CNP Laboratory is an award winning brand developed by skin care specialists to provide modern solutions with the latest technologies and abundant clinical experiments. Anti-Pore Black Head Clear Kit is one of their star products, with over 10 million units sold to date!


Name: CNP Laboratory Anti-Pore Black Head Clear Kit 안티 포어 블랙헤드 클리어 키트
Price: RM 35 for 3 sets
Made in: Korea

This kit is the full deal to rid of strawberry noses. There is three sets of masks and a sextet of black cotton swabs - all the better to see gunk with, hurhurhur!

Step Black Head Clear Mask


Leave mask on for 10 minutes. Roll cotton swab around the nose to remove blackheads.

The full ingredient list for Black Head Clear Mask 1:

Water, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, PEG-8, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, PEG-8/SMDI Copolymer.

Step Pore Tightening Mask


Leave mask on for 10 minutes. Pat in the remaining gel.

The full ingredient list for Pore Tightening Mask 2:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Zinc PCA, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Alum, Glycerin, Arginine, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oleanolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer.

Prior to step , the nose is first softened with a warm towel. For step , Korean bloggers recommended that it should be placed in the fridge for an extra boost of coolness. Naturally I did the whole song-and-dance since I am all for reaping the maximum benefit from my products!



Before - After

My cotton swab lifted so much sebaceous filaments that I had to wipe it on a tissue to rid of some of it (because they fell back on to my nose when I was rolling the swab around). So yeah, that is why there is no pictorial proof...


Despite loving this kit to death, I have got to say that it isn't the cheapest product around - there will be a dent in my wallet if I replenished my supply every 3 weeks! It retails for RM 35 but it goes on discount pretty often at Watsons and hermo.my.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

PMD Personal Microderm Revisited

The PMD Personal Microderm is sort of like an extra-hot sauce... it is made for those with stern dispositions!!!


What I like about this device is that it is a very effective way of achieving instantly smoother, softer and brighter skin. On me it had the same results – perhaps better – than when I have gone for a microdermabrasion treatment at the salon. Granted, I faced no injuries in the pros's hands, but after several months of practise, I have learnt to handle it (I better!) with minimum damage to myself.


The green discs provide a moderate level of exfoliation

For a typical procedure lasting approximately 3 to 5 minutes, each disc would last 3 to 4 treatments. The size of the area being treated and the length of each treatment will ultimately determine how long a disc can be used. I toss mine away after 3 uses because I tend to get so into it that a treatment takes absolutely ages. Of course, I don't devote all of it on exfoliating my skin, some of it is also spent examining my progress with a magnifying mirror, haha!


The discs are not exactly cheap at US$ 20 but you get 6 of them and a pack would last approximately 6 months (if you are like me and use it bimonthly). Buy the device and the replacement discs at getpmd.com!

Disclosure: Press sample.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence

A couple of weeks has passed since the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence landed on my desk and the delay in documenting has been chalked to procrastination (that is one daunting ingredient list to type out!) but at long last, I am ready to get the ball rolling!


Name: Hada Labo 肌研 Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence 极润保湿精华素
Price: RM 74 for 30 g
Made in: China

The 4 types of Hyaluronic Acids in this essence forms a natural water reservoir to continuously retain, lock and restore moisture to the skin. It is said to be 3 times more concentrated than the lotion and when used together, they will increase the skin's moisture level by 30% for more than 7 hours!


I would think that it acts as a pre-serum of sorts because it is said to boost the skin's ability to absorb nutrients from subsequent products, namely (more) serums, moisturisers, facial oils and perhaps even sleeping masks? There is no lengths I wouldn't go to before bedtime, whereas in the mornings, my routine is as simple as it possibly could be.


It is lightweight and does its job without leaving greasy residues. Even if you have sensitive skin, the essence will suit you due to its balanced pH and alcohol/fragrances/colourant/mineral oil free list. As it is, my skin analyser thingamajig recorded a 14.2% jump in my moisture levels, with readings taken over the course of a week and then averaged. Yeah, I aced stats in school, haha!


The results I see after cleansing in the morning are pretty awesome – my skin is plumper, dewier and bouncier. Hydrating serums are simply LOVE; they are a must have in every skincare routine and work for all ages. And I fail to find fault with this one. The amazing Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence is priced at RM 74 and goes on sale in Watsons pretty often!

The full ingredient list for Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence:
Water, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Glycerin/Water/Glyceryl Polyacrylate/Methylparaben/Propylparaben, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract/Water/Glycerin/PEG-8/Carbomer, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract/Citric Acid/Potassium Sorbate/Sodium Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane/Dimethicone Crosspolymer/Dimethicone/Laureth-23/Laureth-4, Glycerin/Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer/Propylene Glycol/PVM/MA Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Methylparaben, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Sclerotium Gum/Water/Phenoxyethanol, Water/Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract/Phenoxyethanol/Methylparaben/Butylparaben/Ethylparaben/Propylparaben/Isobutylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzotriazolyl/Butylphenol Sulfonate/Buteth-3/Tributyl Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Water/Potassium PCA/Opuntia Ficus Indica Stem Extract/Phenoxyethanol/Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin/Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate (Super HA), Sodium Hyaluronate (Medium-size HA), Sodium Hyaluronate (Nano HA), Sodium Hyaluronate (Large-size HA).

Disclosure: Press sample.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Hanaka Secret Warm Hair Serum



Name: Hanaka 花戀肌 Secret Warm Hair Serum 艷后密製熱油護髮精華
Price: NT$ 299 for 50 ml
UrCosme rating: 5.4
Made in: Taiwan

Hanaka's Secret Warm Hair Serum is the only item that made it on the blog from the luggage full of products that I heaved back from Taiwan. What is the point in buying so many things when you can't even show them off introduce them? Haha!

I have been battling with dried ends all this while so that I could show you guys a somewhat full bottle *coughs* Fineee, I am kidding! I have other hair products in rotation, although none are half as good.

Secret Warm Hair Serum comes in an oil form. I apply it every day to nourish the ends. I have used it wet and dry and I like it either way. If I want my mane to feel more like hair and less like hay, then this is a must!!

Besides the inexpensive NT$ 299 price tag, I also like this serum for its smell. SO ridiculously good. I don't know if it is because of the Argan Oil content because I don't know how it smells like. If you see someone suspicious snuffling by Josie Maran's stand in Sephora in the near future, it is most likely me.

I gave Josie Maran's incredibly popular 100% Pure Argan Oil a good sniff and Secret Warm Hair Serum smells nothing like it. I am guessing that the other ingredients play a larger part in determining the outcome... either that or fragrance is added in.

I purchased this serum from the 86小舖 store located at 師大夜市, where one is guaranteed to run across unfriendly BAs. They are either too busy stocking up on goods or admiring themselves in the mirror.

Address:
台北市師大路39巷8號1F

Telephone:
02-2367 2253

Hours:
周一至周四 3 PM - 11 PM
周五至周日 2 PM - 11 PM

Website:
https://www.86shop.com.tw/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/86Shop

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Magi Maxx Jeju Horse Placenta & Oil Cream

Beauty blogging has made me discover all sorts of bizarre ingredients from snail mucus to snake venom and now, horse oil! Boggles the mind but I can safely tell you that exciting times are ahead!


Name: Magi Maxx Cream 마지맥스아크림
Price: ₩ 72,000 for 70 g
Made in: Korea

So, why are horse based products making such a buzz? Apparently the unsaturated fatty acids in horse oil is similar in composition to those found in our bodies; and this is beneficial to us because we can't make them from scratch but must obtain them from food, or in this case, skincare!

Magi Maxx Cream is a wonderful blend of fermented Jeju Horse Placenta and Jeju Horse Oil to revitalise sagging lines and something called Jeju Complex which consists of 8 different plant extracts (Camphor, Dendropanax, Halia Chrysanthemum Zawadskii, Beach Vitex, Jeju Sasa Borealis, Citrus Sudachi, Canola and Peppermint) to brighten skin. A quick Google showed that several are used for TCM purposes!


It is a brilliant concoction that manages to be quite light yet heavy-duty on the skin. The finish is ever so slightly glowy and can feel sticky if too much is applied. That is just my combination skin and humid surroundings talking though... There is a good bit of Sodium Hyaluronate (fifth from the top, in fact!) in the formula, so I imagine it would be able to hydrate the thirstiest of skins.

The balmy cream is incredibly firming, brightening (visible from the first usage!) and even soothes spots that popped up during more hormonal times. Surprisingly (or not) the cream doesn't smell off-putting. I definitely wasn't expecting citrus fruits! It is very pleasant and not at all overpowering. Okay fineee, if you are really sensitive towards fragrances maybe it can err on the heavy side.


The styling is lovely enough that I am of the mind to display the jar on my bedside table once I finish it. Perhaps even fill it up with my hair ties or something equally prone to disappearing, because it is not everyday a glass jar with a wooden cap lands on my doorstep. Unfortunately, it is missing a spatula. We really need to hammer in the importance of hygiene to brands!


At RM 150, this cream is not the cheapest product on my.althea.kr, but it is well worth a look if you fancy the latest fads to come out from Korea.

The full ingredient list for Magi Maxx Cream:
Water, Horse Fat, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Phytosteryl/Decyltetradecyl Myristoyl Methyl Beta-Alanine, Placental Protein, Dimethicone, Benzyl Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trideceth-10, Arginine, Carbomer, Ceramide 3, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Citrate, Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor) Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Sasa Quelpaertensis Extract, Vitex Trifolia Fruit Extract, Dendropanax Morbifera Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Brassica Napus Extract, Citrus Sudachi Fruit Extract, Butoxydiglycol, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil, Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil, Mentha Spicata Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Viola Odorata Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Raspberry Ketone.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner

Pantene's latest 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner is a game changer to the conditioner landscape and claims to maintain moisture balance and more importantly, neutralise the negative charges on hair surfaces, thanks to a combination of Pantene Pro-V Complex, cationic polymer BTMAC and the highest ever levels of TAS.


Name: Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner
Price: RM 14.90 for 180 ml
Made in: Thailand

The 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner is said to

☐ Improve hair health
☐ Help repair damage
☑ Leave hair smooth
☐ Strengthen hair
☐ Prevent split ends
☑ Provide immediate results

As this is only my first (going on second) week in, I can't vouch for all of those fronts. But I have high hopes for it and I am really excited to see how it would perform over a longer period of time!


None of conditioners from the chemist and also salons that fill the cubby in my bathroom can quite compare to this conditioner. Dare I say that it is seriously the best conditioner that I have ever used? I can't even imagine how happy my hair would be if Pantene comes out with the treatment version!


I found it to be a perfect fit for my fairly frizzy, unruly, has a life of its own when left to its own devices, and normal bordering oily hair. Because of that, I have serious doubts of it being moisturising enough for dry, damaged or coarse hair. Let me know how you fare if you decide to try it out?


Most conditioners tend to be too harsh or too silicone laden, but the experts at Pantene have created a product that is practically weightless and gives softer and silkier hair in just 3 minutes. I am glad that I put it to the test the moment the mailman left my doorstep!


Another plus going for this conditioner is that you can even pick up it up with your groceries! As with all Pantene products, it is priced very affordably at RM 14.90.

The full ingredient list for 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner:
Water, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alchohol, Fragrance, Isopropyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Histidine, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Silk Extract, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methyisothiazolinone, CI 19140, CI 17200, CI 42090.

Disclosure: Press sample.