Updated Skincare Routine | Lush, Hadalabo, Origins, Aveeno, Estee Lauder, Josie Maran & Olay

It took me almost 2 years to finalize a skincare routine to showcare.
Well, you know the drill. Don't you say you haven't gone through this routine -

1) Find the products that work

2) Test out new products

3) Realize some don't work in conjunction with the ones that are working

4) Test out some other products in hopes that they work 

5) Some do work, but you realize that the products you were using had been used up
6) You scream WTF

So again, you are back to square one and are always on the hunt to find the next products that work. In order to not overwhelm you I am only listing the post-cleanser products today, of which toners, serums and moisturizers are listed, segmented by day and night.

For day

Toner | Lush Eau Roma Water
a mild toner that contains lavender and rose water to calm the skin from overreactions. It also hydrates and preps the skin to be a canvas for other products.

Toner | Breath of Fresh Air

smells refreshing. It can be used as a mid-day pick-me-up or toner esp great for after lack-of-sleep kinda night. Spray it on, pad it down. Next.

Moisturizer | Origins VitaZing SPF 15

a thick energy-boosting moisturizing with mangosteen and a sheer tint. In the mornings I often shoot for all-on-one time saving products. Stands alone it is not enough coverage, but it lays on perfectly as moisturizer, sunscreen and primer all in one. 

Moisturizer | Aveeno Positivey Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15

is a light moisturizer with sunscreen yet works with other primer/foundation/bb creams I put on after without giving me a crazy whitecast. 

For night

Toner | HadaLabo Gokujyun-a

a thick opaque white serumy toner that is filled with retinol (vitamin A) and collagen. it is targeted for the anti-aging crowd (me!) with properties especially aim to lifting and firming. I find my skin very plumb and soft the next morning, fine lines are reduced over time.

Serum | Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

an all-in one serum -- this is my 4th bottle also the biggest 100ml. it overal refines my pores, brightens, hydrates and overall improves the quality of my skin. It is worth every penny (especially if you buy it in the States for cheap!).

Serum | Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
my life-saver when I went to Israel with this little bottle. it keeps my skin so hydrated during the 12 hours of in-flight time. heal and moisturize. I am testing it out to see whether it can replace the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.

Moisturizer | Olay Regenerist 

it is claimed to be a drugstore product that out-performs many high-end moisturizers. It hydrates, firms and lifts the faceline. One thing that I don't like about this product is that it seems like much 'preservatives' are packed in this little bottle but overal a great moisturizer to get the anti-aging job done.

So here is it finally! I will go ahead and update the 'updated skincare list' on the right.
If you have any skincare recommendations, please tell me! I'd love to branch out and continue to try out new products that work. You can always hide your imperfections with makeup but honestly, with better skin, less time (and makeup) is needed!

xoxo Winnie

Makeup & Skincare favorites of 2012!

Despite almost having no time due to overseas relocation and bloodily turned 25  in 2012, I started investing a lot in what I use on my face, especially skincare. 

The list below represents the best I have used in terms of makeup and skincare throughout the year after a LONG mental battle. As you can imagine, I do not limit my products into just drugstore or high end. As long as they work great with my normal-dry mildly combination skin and complexion, I continue to use them.

Without further ado, here goes my winners for makeup & skincare products for 2012!
*Links embedded are reviews 

MAKEUP |

Foundation Primer

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance

Foundation

Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Smoothing Firming Foundation 

BB Cream

Skin79 Super Beblesh Balm Triple Functions

Concealer

YSL Anti-Cernes Multi-Action Concealer (Used in the foundation routine video HERE)

Loose Powder

Lancome Photogenic Skin-Illuminating Sheer Loose Powder 

Bronzer

Nars Laguna

Highlighter

Maybelline Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer

Eyeshadow Primer

Laura Mercier Eye Basics Base Pour in Wheat

Eyeliner 

Gel - ELF Gel Cream Eyeliner

Pencil - Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Liquid - Dollywink Liquid Eyeliner

Brow Powder

Dollywink Brow Pencil

Mascara

Shiseido Majolica Majorca Lash King

Eyeshadow

Canmake Perfect Brown Eyes Palette 03
Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

Blush

Rimmel Lasting Finish 019 Pink Sorbet

Lipstick

Nars Dolce Vita (used in THIS look)

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

Lipgloss

Paul & Joe Lip Lacquer Brillant A Levres 001 

Lip Balms

Sara Happ The Lip Slip
Maybelline Babylips

Nail Polish

Pale Pink - Essie Like Linen

SKINCARE |

Makeup Remover

Liquid - Bioderma Sensibo H20 Micellaire Solution (aka Crealine H2O Micellaire Solution)
Wipes - The Face Shop Herb Day Lip & Eye Make-up Remover 
Cleanser

Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off

Cleansing Tool

Clarisonic Mia

Toner

Shiseido Benefiance Enriched Balancing Softener

Serum

Estee Lauder Night Repair Serum

Moisturizer

Aveeno Positive Ageless Lifting & Firming Night Cream

Loreal Collagen Filler Moisture Filler Night Cream

Eye Cream

Laneige Hydra Solution Eye Cream

Moisturizing Mask

Paper mask - My Scheming Paper Masks (Yes it beats MBD Masks!)

Gel mask - mG Red Wine Whitening Squeeze Mask
Cleansing - Lush Cupcake
Lifting - Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

The same list for last year (and even 2010) can be found HERE. 

What were your favourites last year? Please share your thoughts!

Gel | Cream | Sleeping Masks Overview & Reviews

Being a beauty fanatic, its engraved in my brain that having good skin is an absolute equation to preventing all other skin issue (fine lines, wrinkles, acne, big pores, hyper-pigmentation etc) and the idea of being a cheap ass allows myself to continuously purchase random masks to try out in order to save cost from going to facial salons.

The summer is about gone and autumn is chasing up like winds.

If I don't keep my skin cleaned and moisturized, I die from dryness and wrinkles... then die wtf

Gel / Cream masks that I have been using lately during showers / sleeping.

1 | Queen Helene Grape Seed Extract Peel Off Masque

It cleans clogged pores, softens facial lines, soothes and tones skin. With antioxidant properties, it has a tighten effect and does what it claims. However the alcohol in this masks is too strong. I can barely use it with contact lens on otherwise my eyes would turn bright red. As much as I see instant result of cleansed pores without any stiffness, I at most use it once every month.

2 | mG Red Wine Whitening Squeeze Mask
Designed to be in a capri sun containers (ah I miss drinking them), this was a discovery last when I was on a business trip in Beijing last month. mG is probably a more trusty Chinese brand and it is a new discovery of mine. The mask is in a light gel soothing consistency that smells like red wine. I love this mask for a quick brightening and moisturizing boost to the skin. Speaking of getting drunk in the shower wtf

3 | Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque
My go-to deep cleanse mask, its affordable to help dry up acne pimples, rinse away blackheads and shrink enlarged pores. When a light layer is on about 10 minutes, the mask starts to uplift and tighten, it's time to wash off all the mask that have crawled up with all the dirts the skin.

4 | Limi Rose Sonnet Whitening Mask
Another China discovery, I actually started to love this brand while studying abroad in Shanghai in 09. Their honey sleeping mask never failed to impress me. This rose one is similar to the mG one in the brightening / whitening department but the consistency is a tad thicker. The sales person told me that this can be doubled up as a sleeping mask. Its refreshing and makes your face smell like rose garden with actual rose flicks.

5 | Boots Skin Kindly Gentle Moisturizing Mask 
With no scent or artificial color, even sensitive skin would love this mask. I often use this as a sleeping mask as it is just straight up moisture pumping into the skin. The 75ml bottle has lasted me for years (I know it has probably expired but my skin hasn't been broken out by it so I don't care wtf). I highly recommend it if you can pick it up if you still see it around.

6 | Lush Cupcake mask 
Full review is HERE. To keep it short it extremely deep cleanses, lifting without the stiffness. Great for ones who constantly wear foundation / base makeup or ones who have oily / acne prone skin.

7 | My Scheming Camellia Night Jelly
Taiwanese brand alternatively to My Beauty Diary. This Camellia sleeping mask is dry to the touch after it is set and gives a pleasant camellia smell throughout the night. In terms of actual functions, I do not think this one is anything particular but if you are looking for an non-sticky alternative to the most known Laneige sleeping pack, My scheming Camellia Night Jelly would be a good cheap option.

I often tend to use paper maks before I go to bed but I never find the time to use gel /cream masks even though I have so many! A good tip I got form my salon beautician is to use them during shower. The hot steam would open up the pores and let the mask ingredients sink. Using affordable masks targeting to your needs more often is more effective than using expensive masks. Now go home, remove your makeup, get your mask on and take a hot shower!
 

Review | Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask

I have been on such a Lush crave since a Lush is opened at the Admiralty MTR station near my work place in Hong Kong. Compared to the prices in the US, it is even more unfair that Lush is so much cheaper in the UK. Lush fresh face makes are not sold in Hong Kong, which makes the best souvenirs from friend visiting London for the Olympic games :)

A wet cold mud half melting texture with a heavy mint chocolate scent. Looking it up close is quite gross. As other mud masks,  this rhassoul mud mask filled with cocoa, vanilla and spearmint oil is supposed to deep cleanse by sucking out all the nitty gritty in the pores.

Slather in this cocoa concoction as a generous layer, wait for about 15 - 20 minutes. It dries quickly and does not have the tightness effect that a lot of mud masks on the market do. Made specifically for oily and teenage acne prone skin, I must say it works just as fine on my combination skin if I tone it down to using it twice a week, or only use it the t-zone. 

The result is spectacular! My skin has never felt this clean. The blackheads becomes unnoticeable when with a close look. All the slight bums, whiteheads are also gone. The first time I used this I was in shock - I did not know my skin could feel as smooth and cleansed without that tight feeling. I highly recommend it if you use foundation / BB cream daily like me.

Cheers to Lush! Another awesome products :) Have been trying out A LOT of face masks and this is definitely one of my current favorite ones!

Spa ph+ review | 經驗分享

So today I would like to do something a little different. As many of you know, I have relocated back to Hong Kong to start a new life. On top of that, my old age is approaching, I have been looking for a Spa / Facial place to pamper myself and to have some "Me Time" away from all the tediousness working and rushing in the busty city once in a while. 

When I first saw this Groupon sale for Radio F Lifting + Hand Massage Facial from Spa PH+. Part of the reason choosing that was because I was intrigued when I saw RF lifting as I know nothing about it. The other part was because they have a store thats really close to my house. I have been buying a lot of Groupon Facial pakages to find one that I actually like enough to settle lol. Howver I still haven't find mine yet. 

It seems like Spa / Facial places reviews in Hong Kong really are not that many. There are deals going on everywhere, but you know, what they do are pretty much similar. The salons always claim to have special deals to attract you to try for the first time, then will semi-"force" you to sign up for other packages with their "special deals".

In terms of decoration of Spa ph+, it is quite nice. It seems to be more high-end, probably to attract the majority of the market - nannies. Who has time to go do spa on a regular basis anyway? They also mainly focus on using HABA, 32°C and aujourd'hui products alongside with their technology. 


今次經香港團購買左這個 HK$528 (大概US$68) 6次電波拉皮加人手按摩美容護膚療程。
其實對拉皮沒有任何經驗或知識，只是最近搬回香港嘛，年紀也有那麼上下，所以在努力找一家好的美容院來定期給自己一些 “Me Time” 來舒緩平常在大都會奔跑工作的壓力。

也覺得香港品論美容院或SPA的評論不夠多，優惠到處都是，但是你也知道，他們做的Facial或者Spa的種類和選擇是大同小異的，通常的手法都是以優惠的價格 “氹” 你先落搭，然後在你在做的時候再跟你說有什麼 “優惠” 讓你即時加錢再購買。

其實Spa ph+ 的環境地方還不賴，裝潢是走高貴呢種路線。
*看到的都是他們網站的照片，真實是比相片更優雅。
個人對裝修沒什麼意見，放上面的才是最實際，當然也不介意啦。

The actual room for the facial is alright, nothing fancy like the waiting room or bathroom, of which I don't care, I had my eyes close my entire time anyway lolz.

However I was persuaded to do this $180 facial on top of my RF Lifting and Hand Massage Facial. Usually I do not easily commit to something like this, but my Groupon deal breaks down to less than $100/time, and I was like why the hack not, the total doesn't exceed $300 anyway.

真正做面的房間就沒有等候間和更衣見那麼豪華，但是也不差，眼睛大部分時間都是合起來的嘛。

這次我就被遊說加了 HK$180 的優惠價來做了個DIY Facial，本來是不會加的啦，但是就覺得人手按摩6次除開只是大概 HK$100都不用，加起來也不過HK$300是OK的啦。

Thats the facial I added on top. It's called D.I.Y. Herbal Essence Treatment (stupid name, why DIY?) and it's actually not bad. With herbal essence, it was a full 2.5 hour process of cleansing, deep cleansing mask, steam, eyebrow trim, moisturize, RF Lifting, essence serum massage, neck and shoulder message, another moisturizing mask. 

先講一下做了的DIY面膜，可能是第一次做的關係，感覺是頗做足的，清潔，深層清潔面膜，蒸氣，修眉，保濕，RF 機器拉面，精華面部按摩，肩頸按摩，保濕敷面 － 整個過程大概2個半小時。

The above description regarding RF Lifting is for body, I couldn't find the one for face from their website. However concept wise they are the same.

(Radio Frequencies) RF Lifting is a immediate non-surgical effect to stimulate collagen fivers of the skin and stimulate compensating mechanisms including the proliferation of fibroblasts and accelerated production of neocollagen by moderating dermal edema and controlling thermo-reduction.

Sounds complicated enough? All I felt was a medal stick rolling around my face and jaw line for lifting its definition. After the process, I only felt the mild heat within my skin (really really mild) and it was immediately cooled off by the massage.

Today is the second day, I can barely see the result. It might come when I finish all 6 times fml.

以上的形容是for身體的，我在他們網站上找不到for臉的，大概概念是一樣的吧。

我在Facial前問過員工，會不會有副作用，緊緻的程度會怎樣，做完以後皮會否變鬆等等。。

你都知道，除了貪靚以外我都很怕死lol。

RF Lifting 原來是一個不動刀的拉皮功能，使用活躍無線電頻率，刺激皮下的浮腫和控制熱還原來增加皮膚的纖維細胞增殖，增加局部血液供應（血管擴張和充血）和加速neocollagen生產來有效提升輪廓。

我沒有看到，但是過程就是用一支金屬棒在下巴，頸部的位置做提拉，做完以後在皮膚裡面有一點溫熱，老實說沒有什麼感覺呵。

現在是第二天了，成果也不是很明顯，可能要等做完整個療程才見效吧。（苦笑）

Then as usual I was brought to be seated at the waiting area where they give you water or soup. The technician first came to us, asking whether I liked my facial or not, of course I knew it was coming. She then jumped into asking if I could join a course of series of facials. That is the part I hate the most. Often time I was under the impression that if I were so satisfied with the services, I would have volunteered to pay more already. Spa ph+'s back end staff have very nice skills and techniques, but for the front end sales people are a bit too much. She basically couldn't sell me so she walked aside and pulled her manager in wtf. I understand that they live off commissions, but I seriously felt uncomfortable being put in that kind of situation. On top of that, I have already paid for that Groupon, what do you want from me? I thought the add-to-top packages are just optional, no? I'm sure many of you are similar to me and hate this kind of sales methods.

做完以後就一如既往被安排去等候區，也是我最憎的。首當其衝就是有一個技師跟你說一下做了什麼，對服務滿不滿意，搭入正題，就是問會不會加course。其實Spa ph+的backend做facial的人都好好，技巧和手勢都不俗，整個過程都相當滿意。
至於在前頭安排皮膚測試的就有點hard sell，不但在開頭一直說我的皮膚低層厚，也在最後不停sell package。（說真的你的皮膚比我好嘛？）雖然我明白他們的人工也是靠佣金為生的，但那死纏爛打的手段都有夠令人反感。加上你想我怎樣，我已經給了團購的費用，做不做其他的都是optional不是嘛？我相信除了我以外，你們都很討厭這種生意手段。（生氣）

整體來講我會給Spa PH+的分數：
Overall I'd give my 1st Spa PH+ experience:

Technique: 95/100
Sales: 45/100

質素是相當不錯啦，有興趣的話可以參考它的website (HERE) 
以上的服務是我自己付費，也沒有收取SpaPH+的任何優惠。拜～

Review | Bioderma Crealine H2O Micellaire Solution

It seems that the last time I did a makeup remover related review was such long time ago. Well, I guess my routine hasn't changed much for pretty much ages since I started using the Clarisonic Mia. I have saved so much on make up removal products, and still constantly using the Face Shop Pomegranate Fine Foam Cleanser and Biore Perfect Cleansing Oil. 

Bioderma Sensibo H20 Micellaire Solution (also know as the most raved about Bioderma Crealine) is nowhere near a deep cleanse product. You could soak it onto your eyes for awhile to remove heavier makeup but I mainly use it doe 2 things - 

1 | with a cotton pad to remove my base makeup before using an actual cleanser with the Clarisonic Mia. 

2 | quickly clean up the skin in the morning prior to putting makeup on. 

*The Lioele cotton pads suck by the way. I am just trying to use them up. Just thought you might wanna know.

It is clear, doesn't have a strong scent and gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Do you use any similar products in your cleansing routine?

Review | Skin79 Super Beblesh Balm Triple Function BB Cream

As summer is already here lazy asses like me are of course always on the hunt for sunscreen, waterproof, anti-aging, skin brightening, etc etc basically products that are million-in-one to finish everything in one step. I have owned this for more than 2 months now and figured the testing period is long enough for a review.

I have been eye-ing on this SPF 50+ PA+++ BB Cream for quite some time now. It calms to have all the good stuff aka Vitamin A-Z,

"Upgraded Sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection SPF50. Strengthen's skin NMF and maintain balanced skin condition. Osmopur-N and Vital-V Complex soothe and protect skin from various harmful environments to make a moisturized, healthy skin."

The only reason it set me off from purchasing was that I still have so many products I need to use up first (Hello, Giorgio Armani Designer Lift, Revlon Age Defying, Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua etc...) But as a BB Cream lover, this Triple Action BB Cream stands out to me with its good reviews despite its crazy sunscreen. How can I help myself :)?

Review |

1 | Color: First off, this Triple Action BB Cream doesn't have the grey tone that a lot of BB Cream has. Over time the brightness slightly disappears, making the skin looks even more natural.  It is also a medium to dewy finish which I personally love. It however only provides 1 shade and it is definitely too light for me. I am about MAC NC25 at the moment.

2 | Coverage / Pigmentation: Solid medium coverage. Since the SPF 50 sunscreen ingredients can leave obvious marks and some serious rubbing is needed for this BB Cream regardless if to use your fingers or foundation brush. I like to REALLY sheer it out by using my fingers to blend it in into the primer and/or moisturizer to still give a medium coverage. The first couple times I tried applying it just like other BB Cream and though I really like the overall finish, the BB Cream sinks in around the pore area so close up it looks really disgusting. 

3 | Texture: Rather thick. It is definitely the most condensed BB Cream I have tried. The application as mentioned above needs some serious buffing. When on, it gives the illusion of very good skin.

4 | Lasting + Oil Control: On average it lasts about 5 to 6 hours which I am impressed. In the oil control department however, this BB Cream is not the greatest. I have combination skin, and the oil on my T-zone mixed with this BB Cream really makes me look like a grease ball if I don blot after 4 hours. 

5 | Price: $12.99 from Amazon, I got it from Colormix for about the same price. For this amount of product and how little is needed per application, this is a great deal in my opinion.

With a light layer of Skin79 Super Beblesh Balm Triple Function BB Cream, eye brows and thin eyeliner on -

*Sorry for my very swollen face. It was after the Beer Festival last night and 4 hours of sleep. I did not put concealer on for you to see the coverage under the eyes. My dark circles still shine through wtf.

Overall it got a B+ in my book. The texture is not the best but it really isnt bad considering how much sunscreen it provides. Is is best for the days where I am just running around town for few hours to run some errands. I will be sure to get a lot of use out of this the rest of this summer.

Hope you find this helpful!

Review | Lush Seanik & Ultimate Shine Solid Shampoo Bars

Ever since there a LUSH opened up at the station near my work place that makes the surrounding 100m square parameter constantly smell like LUSH, I couldn't help but remind myself my love for it. Sometimes there are reasons for products to be staples for a brand. And today, I would like to share a few LUSH staples that I am in total love with.

Ultimate Shine - targets Medium to dry hair.
As the name describes, Ultimate Shine makes the hair shiny after every wash. It forms up very well and is able to cleanse the hair keeping it refreshed without leaving a streaky feeling. It is my everyday shampoo and I love it.

"Essential oils make your hair shimmer, not the golden sparkles. We have fragrant ylang ylang oil to keep hair shiny and sensual; violet leaf to decongest your scalp and elemi oil to tone and calm your nerves, so you can shine socially, too. "

Seanik - targets medium to oily hair.
It has legit seaweed in it! That was what drew me to it at the beginning as Im a big seaweed fan. Oops, that sounds kinda strange. For a shampoo performance, seanik does not foam up as great as Ultimate Shine but it is such a great shampoo to give my hair a throughout cleanse once in awhile.

"Softening sea salt shampoo with jasmine, mimosa and orange blossom. Many of our planet’s most potent nutrients come from the deep blue sea. Lush has them brought ashore to create an ocean blue bar with protein-rich Irish moss seaweed, Japanese nori seaweed and sea salt to leave your hair soft and full of body. We added lemon oil for extra shine, and the exotic far eastern fragrance of mimosa and jasmine to bathe you in the heady scent of tropical flora."
Besides, they look so good together sitting in my bathroom together! With a random seashell it reminds me of Hawaii every time I look at them wtf.

Anything I should try from LUSH? I am still a newbie when it comes to LUSH so please do let me know! Hope you all are having a great weekend xoxo

Review | Sara Happ x Lane Crawford Limited Edition Sparkling Grape Lip Scrub

Made it to my favourite lip scrubs in 2011 (HERE), the lip slip is hands down the most moisturizing lip balm I have ever used. Sara Happ is famous for their lip scrubs as well as lip "gel" in a container - the lip slip. They have been raved about by so many Hollywood celebrities.  Of course I didn't just believe the hype at the first glance but ever since I purchased my first Lip Slip from Sara Happ many years ago, I have been obsessed with their products. 

With that being said, buying Sara Happ products in the US is undoubtedly a lot cheaper since the whole brand started in LA. However after years of fame, they have slowly migrated to other markets, and hello, even to Lane Crawford (department store in Hong Kong, website HERE).

How can I resist if it's claimed to be Sparkling Grape limited edition Sara Happ x Lane Crawford lip scrub?!

It is a sugary scrub with medium sized grains. What I usually do is to massage a generous amount onto the lips with a firm circular motion. The best thing I like about this scrub is that you just need to wipe away with a tissue. The next you notice is baby soft lips!

The taste of sparkling wine is just a gimmick but it totally sucked me it lol. Though to be really thankful I much more prefer spending the $30 on the lip slip. Its not a bad products but compared to so many awesome lip scrubs on the market (hello, lush? the body shop?), this is definitely not the winner.

Do you use any lip scrubs? Or home made any? If so, what do you recommend?

I have posted some daily life stuff on instagram so don't forget to follow me at winnietsuii 

Hope you all are having a fantastic fathers day weekend xoxo