Surprise your Valentine this year

Every year, people spent a lot of time thinking what to buy for their Valentine on Valentine's Day. This year, I have some new ideas for you!

Sometimes, choosing something unexpected can show how caring you are. That's why items 1, 2, 3 above are all brushes, people tend to always think of the main things like makeup gift set, but what they don't realise is that brushes are very important tools for a good makeup. Giving these to your valentine will definitely earn you extra points, I promise!

1. Ecotools Limited Edition Beautiful Expression Kabuki Set, USD14.00

Round Kabuki for Conceal:

• Use with liquid concealer or foundation for custom coverage.
• Shaped like your fingertip to comfortably glide across your smallest.

Angled Kabuki for Bronze:

• Expertly apply and blend bronzer all over face to create a natural-looking glow.

Domed Kabuki for Contour:

• Gently apply blush in an upward motion to center and enhance the fullest point of cheeks.

Flat Top Kabuki for Buff:

• Buff over face to smooth and remove excess powder for a flawless finish.

2. Lilyth Travel Clutch Makeup Brush Set, USD39.00

Lilyth Travel Clutch Makeup Brush Set contains 5 high quality makeup brushes which you use to create a full face makeup. They are tucked smartly in a portable black faux leather clutch which you can carry it everywhere and every day. All the brushes are made with soft and synthetic fibers which are gentle to skin. Tipped such that it picks up the right amount of products and minimum hair fall out. Animal-free and cruelty-free. Safe for sensitive skin also.

Lilyth Travel Clutch Makeup Brush Set includes:

• 1 x Powder Brush 11.5cm
• 1 x Angled Blush Brush 12cm
• 1 x Eyeshadow Brush 10.8cm
• 1 x Concealer Brush 10.4cm
• 1 x Lip Brush 10.5cm
• Black Clutch 16cm x 9.5cm x 3cm

3. Bobbi Brown Caviar and Oyster Collection 7-piece Travel Brush Set (Limited Edition), USD207.00

Inspired by the Caviar and Oyster Collection, the Bobbi Brown 7-Piece Travel Brush Set (Limited Edition) feels chic yet edgy in a sleek leather-like case lined with slipper-pink satin. The brushes Bobbi uses most often, perfectly sized for travel and on-the-go makeup application. Includes 7 brushes:

• Eye Smudge Brush
• Blush Brush
• Foundation Brush
• Eye Brow Brush
• Eye Sweep Brush
• Angle Eye Shadow Brush
• Dual Ended Eye Liner Brush / Ultra Fine Eye Liner
• Brush Case around 17.5cm x 9.5cm x 2.5cm

Items 4-6 are also something out of the ordinary, they are some skin-beautifying tools which bring home facial to a new level.

4. Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing System, USD169.00

Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing System features Two Speeds, One-Minute Pulsing T-Timer® and Protective Travel Case for on-the-go sonic cleansing. Now you have more choices for beautiful skin.

The Essential first step in your daily skin care ritual, Mia 2 is a professional-caliber brush that uses a gentle sonic micro-massage action to cleanse deeply. Mia 2 gently cleans pores without harsh abrasion or chemicals, cleansing so effectively that skin care products absorb better. Results include 6X better cleansing than manual cleansing, reduce appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles, and improved skin tone.
The Mia 2 handle is waterproof for use in the shower or bathtub.

5. Talika Cream Booster Set, USD133.00

Talika Triple-action Cream Booster device combines proven LED phototherapy with micro-vibration technology and ionotherapy to stimulate cell function and increase cellular exchange. Talika Cream Booster works with any of your skin care products, delivering immediate results.

This set come with a Talika Eye Detox Contour Gel 5ml / 0.17oz

Talika Eye Detox Eye Detox Contour Gel help erases dark rings and reduce eyebags, responsible for dull and tired looking eyes.

6. Hitachi Hada CRiE Cool (CM-N1000), USD311

Cleansing, Moisturizing & Cooling Care!
NEW!! Hitachi Ion Cleansing with Moisturizing and Cooling Support Device – Hada CRiE Cool (CM-N1000)

• Made in Japan
• Pore Cleansing, Moisturizing, Wrinkle Reducing & Pore Tightening
• 4 operating modes: Cleansing, Micro-pat, Moisturize & Cool Aesthetic
• Titanium Head: Prevent allergy
• Can use your own regular toner
• AC Supply: Can be used when travelling
• 2 Power levels selection
• Memory Function: Memorize users’ power level

For more gifts options, click here. 

Must have: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm

Recently, I have switched my whole skincare routine to Clinique, for about a month now. And the products have been great, but one particular product out of all I really have to share with you all!

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm

The texture is like lip balm, and no water is needed at the time of application, remember to apply it on a dry face. Start with your cheeks, when you rub it, it will become oil-like. Keep rubbing to your nose, then your chin, then forehead.

The great thing about this balm is that it could be used to cleanse lipstick and eye makeup! How amazing! But I always leave the lip and eye at last so the colour won't smear other parts of you face that much. When the eye makeup is really thick, although it's normally enough with one time cleansing with the balm, I would apply again on only around the eye area to make sure all makeup is gone.

How to cleanse it?
Just use warm water to thoroughly wash off the balm like other facial cleansing foam. Then the skin will feel supple and clean. Follow by daily skincare routine afterwards.

And you don't need to apply much every time, so that's why I have been using it for about a month now, and I have only scratched the surface of it!

Try it yourself, this is really THE product to have! :D

Christmas Gifts 2012: Editor's Picks!

Christmas is just around the corner! I am already hearing "Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle all the way..." in the shops full of Christmas decoration. You might think it's a little early to think about the gifts, but surely it's not! Here's a list of gifts that I picked for you guys.

Skincare

(left to right, top to bottom)

L'Occitane Rose 4 Reines Hydrating Face Mist (2 x 50ml in a box, USD37.00) rich in natural rose floral water this refreshing mist quenches the skin and maintains optimal moisture levels. It's soothing active ingredients reduce irritation and leave skin feeling soft, supple, and comfortable. Apply under or over makeup any time of day. Hold at 20 cm from, face, close eyes and spray onto skin. Suitable for all skin types.

SK II Facial Treatment Skincare Set (USD65.00):

• Facial Treatment Clear Lotion 40ml
• Facial Treatment Essence 30ml
• Facial Treatment Cleansing Gel 15g
• Facial Treatment Mask 1pc
• Stempower 15g

Crabtree & Evelyn Mini Hand Therapy Collection (English Flora) Gift Set (USD18.00):

• Lavender Ultra-Moisturising Hand Therapy 25g x 1pc
• Rosewater Hand Therapy 25g x 1pc
• Iris Ultra-Moisturising Hand Therapy 25g x 1pc

Biotherm Aquasource NON STOP Biolab Hydra Solutions Set (Dry Skin) (USD34.00):

• Aquasource NON STOP Oligo-Thermal Cream Intense Moisturization 1.01oz / 30ml
• Biosource Hydra-Mineral Lotion Softening Water Mg 1.01oz / 30ml
• Biosource Softening Cleansing Foam Mg 0.67oz / 20ml
• Pink Cosmetic Bag 20cm x 7cm x 7.5cm

Makeup

Swarovski Aura by Swarovski Parfume & Lipstick Set (Limited Edition) (USD62.00):

• Aura by Swarovski Eau De Parfum (Refillable Spray) 15ml / 0.5oz
• Crystallize Your Lips Lipstick (Crystal Vintage Rose) 3g / 0.1oz

Jill Stuart Petite Nail Lacquer Collection (USD36.00):

• Nail Lacquer N #114 Red Currant 6ml
• Nail Lacquer N #115 Bird Song 6ml
• Nail Lacquer N #116 Deep Fur 6ml
• Nail Art Sticker

Givenchy Play for Her Fragrance Gift Set (USD58.00):

• Givenchy Play for Her Eau de Parfum 1oz / 30ml
• Givenchy Play for Her Velvet Body Lotion 2.5oz / 75ml

Kate Garey High Tea Cosmetic Bag (USD19.00)

In demand by Tea lovers everywhere we have bought our original 'I Love Tea' design back with 2 little sweet friends. 23cm x 13cm x 6.5cm, recycled canvas and floral cotton lining.

Want something out of the ordinary? Try the green colour!

Kate Garey Wise Monkeys Cosmetic Bag (USD17.00)

We all know and love the 3 wise monkeys, See No Evil, Hear No Evil & Say No Evil but the most important is the fourth Do No Evil! These buddies sit together on green polka dots, the sayings embroidered onto their bellies.
23cm x 13cm x 6.6cm. 

Everyday Skin Moisturising Tips for Winter

Switch to Cleansing Cream from Cleansing Gel

Cleansing cream comprises of mild cleansing agents and a higher density of emollients, eliminating the harshness of cleaning agents, along with it leaving your skin supple and soft.  It gently removes the dirt on your skin.  

 

My skin feels: In dry weather, I will use Decléor Cleansing Cream - Face & Eyes.  I love the super soothing, calming and revitalizing ingredients, Angelica and Geranium Essential Oils, which restore moisture to skin and improve the blotches caused by dryness.  I use it for wiping makeup residues and cleansing face, 1 step for a complete face cleansing.  It saves my skin from dehydration due to over-washing.

Using Lukewarm Water to Wash Face

Hot water will strip off the natural sebum protection of skin while cold water cannot soften the epidermis for an effective face cleansing.  Lukewarm water is gentle to your skin and it does not induce any undesirable reaction to skin.   Apply moisturizers to skin when your skin is still moist after washing, as water evaporates on skin and leaches the moisture from your skin.

Select skin-care with Humectants or Emollients

Always look for big words for skin moisturizing, such as Hyaluronic Acids, Collagen, Glycerine, Aloe Vera, Honey, Rose, Lavender, Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, Vitamin E…

SANA Uruoitaishi Moisturizing Gel creates a long-lasting moisturising effect with skin-like hyaluronic acids and collagen which attracts moisture to skin cells, imparting a moist and dewy look all day!  Lay a thin layer over your face before make-up.  It prevents your make-up to dry and irritate your skin especially in winter.

 

 

 

 

Moisturizing from the inside

Drinking an adequate amount of water helps your skin cells stay plump and hydrated.  Fruits are loaded with antioxidants, essential minerals and vitamins which help fortifying healthy skin cells.

2-Step Skin Thirst Aid

When waging battle with dryness, skin breakouts can happen at any moment when you neglect the special care for a healthy moisture level of skin.  Be always ready to give ‘Thirst Aid’ to your skin!

2-Step Thirst Aid Skincare Set

 

 

Step 1: Exfoliation removes the outermost dry and dead skin

 

Desperately applying moisturizers once your skin feels dry? Hang on… To rescue dry skin, first of all, we need to exfoliate the stubborn dead skin cells on the epidermis for a better absorption. Otherwise, all the beautiful moisturizing nutrients are clogged within the dead skin cells, accumulating a thick barrier blocking the delivery of moisture and nutrients.

 

My skin feels: When I know that this peeling gel is characterized by 100% natural ingredients, it is a great temptation that I cannot resist.  The super sweet corn cob deeply pumps up the moisture and removes the rough surface of skin. Just use a little and gently massage into my skin.  Some yellowish eraser rubbings (dirt and dead skin cells) come out. It has no heavy oils, giving my skin light and pure feelings.  Look at the mirror and feel so indulged with the egg-like slippery and tofu-like smooth texture of my skin.

 

    

             Ricco Di Nartura Micro Peeling Gel

 

 

Step 2: Intensive Hydra-Boosting treatments

Don’t miss the best moment to trap moisture underneath.  Skin’s barrier is loosened after exfoliation.  Wrap your skin with a moisturizing mask to penetrate the moisturizing nutrients deeply into your skin along with it repairing the dehydrated skin cells.

 

 

My skin feels: I really adore it, Albion Skin Conditioner Essential Paper Mask, which conditions my skin with the queen of grains, Job’s Tears seeds (Barley), which is known as the guardian angel for skin in China and Japan. The feature of this mask is to accelerate skin’s metabolism so as to regain moisture and healthy complexion.    Acne and blotch breakouts are less likely to happen and my skin’s immune system is regulated back on a right track to fight for the dry air.

 

            Albion Skin Conditioner Essential Paper Mask