Sponsored: New Essential Moisturising Frizz Free Range

Waking up to a welcome a bad hair day is one of the worst things anyone can face.

To be honest, I have very unmanageable hair. If I ever forget to apply conditioner or serum after a hair wash, my hair will be like

Understanding the needs of us girls and our hair woes, Essential (a popular hair care brand from Japan) offers a wide range of products to help repair and care for our hair.

Ever heard of the term combination hair? You may be more familiar with the term combination skin, however combination hair?

The concept of ‘combination hair’ is similar to that of ‘combination skin’, where hair condition from the same person is not uniform from root to tip. People with combination hair usually have oily roots and dry ends.

Most of us are faced with the dilemma of combination hair type, just like combination skin type that we are all familiar with, where the needs of our hair roots and ends are vastly different. 

I bet most of us do not have one haircare product which can solve both oily roots and dry ends. 
Using a rich moisturizing product to care for dry ends, will usually result in a heavy and oily scalp because of the product buildup on their scalp.
Using a light, clarifying product for oily scalp will cause the ends to be even drier.

Thus, people with combination hair may find themselves having to rotate between using a rich moisturizing product and a light clarifying product to achieve a balance. 

The new Essential haircare range promises to smoothen your locks and helps you achieve healthy and manageable hair! 
The brand new Essential haircare range is specially formulated with the new Microfine All Smooth Essence and variants that contain the Sebum Cleansing Technology.

Essential’s new range comes in four different variants: 

• the Nourishing Breakage Defence (Orange range) for weak and damaged hair

• Moisturising Frizz Free (Pink range) for dull and rough hair

• Light Finishing Volumizing range (Yellow range) for limp and flat hair; and

• Deep Cleansing Care range (Blue range) for with oily scalp and dry ends. 

Before choosing the right range, you may want to ask yourself 2 questions.

1. Do you have oily hair roots/scalp?
2. Do you have dry/damaged hair ends?

And the results~~

I did the 'test' myself too, and I got myself the pink range~

Infused with the new Microfine All Smooth Essence, the new Essential haircare range coats each hair strand evenly with a protective veil, delivering nutrients to repair damaged hair. 
Its uniform veil locks in moisture and repairs the dry, damaged hair ends without causing the hair roots to be sticky and heavy. This new formulation also soothes the damaged hair cuticles from root to tip. 

I can now run my fingers through my hair effortlessly even during shampooing. 
I can now comb my hair without having to use too much force, (you know it's bad to keep having to pull your hair because your comb is stuck in it)
No more knots!

With strong, healthy and tangle-free hair, styling your hair has never been easier! 

With the optimum combination of Smart Cuticle Care & Sebum Cleansing Technology in the Light Finish Volumizing and Deep Cleansing Care variants, you can now achieve moisturised hair ends while maintaining a refreshed, breathable scalp! 

The NEW Essential haircare products are available at leading supermarkets, hypermarkets, western pharmacies & personal care stores at the following prices:
- Shampoo SGD $4.50 (200ml) / SGD $11.50 (750ml)
- Conditioner SGD $4.50 (200ml) / SGD $11.50 (750ml)
- Treatment SGD $0.00 (180g) [Sorry but I do not have the price for this at the moment.]
- Hair Mask SGD $9.90 (200g)

Sounds too good to be true? Try it yourself!

Like Essential on Facebook (www.fb.com/Essential.SG) and follow Essential on Instagram @essentialsingapore for latest news!

Sponsored Review: Bio-essence Hydra Tri-Action Aqua Droplet Sleeping Mask

I believe it is every girl's dream to want to be pretty, or at least have flawless skin.

So most girls I believe, slap on many various products...

Products from different brands, products aimed at different skin problems.

However, do you realise no matter how many products you apply on your face, they all don't seem to absorb well.

Why is that?

One most important step to skincare is moisturising your skin!

I did an interview with 2 different skincare brands for a beauty story on Lian He Wan Bao. (Read it here!)

They mentioned that if your skin lacks moisture, anything you apply will not be well absorbed. If so, you will just be burning money~

The product that I am reviewing today is the Bio-essence Hydra Tri-Action Aqua Droplet Sleeping Mask. There are many different sleeping masks or night care products out in the market. What makes this particular one different from the rest of them? 

Bio-essence Aqua Droplet Sleeping Beauty Mask replenishes moisture level, hydrates, nourishes and repairs your skin non-stop while you sleep. Another story that I am currently working with for Lian He Wan Bao, is a night care story.

One of my interviewee mentioned that between 10pm to 2am, is the best time for the absorption for the skin. Read about it by clicking here!

Anyway, back to the product.

Bio-essence Aqua Droplet Sleeping Beauty Mask's unique formulation is enriched with: 

• 2 types of Hyaluronic acid (Power Nano Hyaluronic Acid & Hyaluronic Acid)

Hyaluronic acid is an important moisturizing "ingredient" used in many beauty products in the market. Hyaluronic acid helps to replenish and lock in moisture, providing skin with non-stop hydration.
With an average nano molecular size of 15-25nm, the Power Nano Hyaluronic Acid absorbs quickly and easily into the skin, making skin instantly hydrated and moisturised.

• Cranberry Extract & Bio Energy Fluid

They help in moisturizing your skin, giving you a radiant smooth complexion.

Bio-essence Aqua Droplet Sleeping Beauty Mask not only provides long lasting hydration but also protects skin from environmental factors (for example: pollution, weather, etc.)
Bio-essence Aqua Droplet Sleeping Beauty Mask is also able to brighten dull and tired skin, refine enlarged pores, and regulate oil and moisture levels.

The technology behind all these benefits? The unique Bio Aqua Crystal Technology. 
This technology forms a protective shield over the hydrating ingredients to prevent moisture loss before application. 
Upon application, this shield breaks away and big aqua droplets are formed. This ensures our skin gets hydrated with the freshest and most optimal amount of hydrating activity. The big aqua droplets are made up of superior hydrating ingredients of small molecular sizes which allow moisture and nutrients to be easily delivered to the deepest layers of skin, while the protective emollient film remains on the skin to lock in moisture for non-stop hydration.

How to use?

Step 1: Massage gently till aqua droplets form.
Step 2: Gently pat till fully absorbed into skin.
Step 3: Apply a thin layer over skin as a daily moisturiser. For more intensive treatment, apply a thicker layer to replenish skin’s moisture throughout the night as a sleeping mask.

Too wordy? Watch the videos below!

My verdict:

Sleeping masks, in my opinion are meant for lazy people like me...
Yes, I am not only lazy, but suuuuuuuper lazy.
Which is why, I love sleeping masks!
I have various different brands of sleeping masks at home!

This particular brand, it is of a more watery-gelish like texture, much like many other sleeping masks.
Very suitable, not only for lazy people, but people with sensitive or oily skin because the texture is much much lighter than night creams! 

Some moisturisers or night creams make your face feel oily or sticky after application. Bio-essence Hydra Tri-Action Aqua Droplet Sleeping Mask does not!
Non-sticky, not oily. Which is why, I think I will continue using it and buying it again! (:

ATTENTION!

If you are not convinced by what I said, try it out for yourself!
Bio-essence is conducting a street sampling session on the 6th Sep 2014 (Sat) from 2pm-6pm outside Mandarin Gallery.
Not only do you get to try out this awesome product, but you also get freebies and enjoy attractive discounts!

Also, hurry and go to the Bio-essence Singapore's Facebook page, and "LIKE" the page. You get to redeem free samples.
For your convenience, just click HERE!

Bio-essence Hydra Tri-Action Aqua Droplet Sleeping Mask is retailing at $33.90.

Sponsored Review: Astalift White Lotion and Essence Inlift

Astalift, the Japanese award-winning anti-aging skincare brand by Fujifilm, launched an enhanced version of it whitenening skincare series back in April.
The whole new Astalift White skincare series is enriched with a new brightening ingredient, Nano AMA. The combination with other effective whitening ingredients such as Arbutin and Vitamin C in the formula enables Astalift White to deliver advanced whitening effects that inhibit the production of melanin in the skin, achieving a brighter, more translucent complexion.

Comprising 3 products, the series includes a whitening lotion, whitening cream and Astalift White Essence Infilt.

 

Astalift White Lotion is a moisturising toner containing:
● Brightening ingredient: Nano AMA
● Whitening active: Arbutin
● Super antioxidant, Astaxanthin: to prevent age-related damage
● 3 types of collagen to improve skin firmness and elasticity
● Seaweed extract to moisturise skin

How-to-use:
Just pump one full pump, and you should get a 50 cent coin amount on your palm.
Pat gently onto face. This toner is orange in colour, and non-sticky in texture.
I have used various different toners before, and this one smells relatively stronger.
If not for the smell, I will actually like it alot. My skin absorbs it really quickly, so it definitely compliments whatever skincare procedure you have later on.

Retail Price: $64
Refill Price: $57

 

 

I also tried the Astalift White Essence Infilt. This is a much thicker in texture as compared to Astalift White Lotion. It contains:

● Nano AMA, (among the ASTALIFT White series, Astalift White Essence Infilt contains the highest concentration of Nano AMA)
● Whitening ingredient: Vitamin C
● Yeast extract: Boost collagen production, thus preventing melanin from sinking into dermis, which causes permanent skin pigmentation
● Super antioxidant, Astaxanthin and three types of collagen: for skin-firming benefits

How-to-use:
Use it after the Astalift White Lotion. Just 1 pump will be sufficient. Massage into skin for 30 seconds.
It absorbs really quickly just like the Astalift White Lotion, however this product also has this one smell that I don't really like, but I think it really complements the toner, and does show effects of whitening.
I am not really tan to begin with, but living in Singapore, and not getting tan is really tough. But I am not tanned yet, so I guess the product works to a certain extent.

Retail Price: $64
One really attractive point for Astalift White series is that it uses environmentally-friendly packaging. The series of products comes in a new refillable design. The new translucent casing is buttressed with a UV protetion coating to shield the delicate ingredients of the product from UV degradation.
Astalift White is now available at all Astalift boutiques (JEM #01-20 & ION Orchard #B3-66.
For more information, you can go to their webpage www.astalift.com.sg 

Advertorials: Sephora The Haute Line

Eyeliners are like lippies – one is never enough.
Looking for a new eyeliner?
Sephora has over 600 different eyeliners in store, offering a variety of sizes, textures, and finishes.

Here are the top pens and pencils to help you get your winning streaks this Autumn season!

If you want intense colour in a single stroke, try Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner, $22.

 

As OOTD-worthy as your skinny jeans, this skinny liner gives you precision point perfection – so crucial when you need that delicate feline flick at the outer corners of your peepers.
The formula is paraben-free, smudgeproof and fade-proof.

If you want holding power in more ways than one, try Sephora Smart Liner, $18.

This effortless eyeliner is all about strong hold. First, it has a special
formula that stays put for 24 hours, so you can draw on a bold line without
having to worry about post-lunch no-shows. Second, its innovative ergonomic shape allows for an easy grip, so it doesn’t matter if you are a novice or a PhD grad in the art of applying eyeliner. Foolproof precision is 100 per cent guaranteed.

If you want the perfect cat’s eye, try Eyeko Eye Do Liquid Eyeliner, $25.

A fave of the brand’s face Alexa Chung, (the model above...if you don't already know who she is)
this glides on smoothly in the darkest black, stays even on the waterline, and gives a glossy finish.
Alexa loves its nib, which has “the perfect shape and size” to give superb control. The deal sweetener? It gives you visibly thicker, longer-looking lashes with regular use. Expect up to three times more volume.

If you want a creamy, easy-to-blend formula, try Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Perversion, $32.

This black matte eye pencil is so creamy it’s dreamy – giving you not only an easy glide, but the power to blend it as much (or as little) as you want. A clear favourite in the award-winning 24/7 liner range, it’s also forever-lasting and waterproof.

If you want your liner to last and last, try Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, $28.

As its name suggests, this is a waterproof liquid liner that stays on all day and night. The thin, markerlike tip is easy to maneuver for beauty beginners and there’s no smudging, feathering or running. Bonus street cred: Fashion designer Charlotte Ronson is a fan.

If you want to be too cool for school, try Marc Jacobs Beauty Magic Marc’er Precision Pen Eyeliner in Blacquer, $39.

 



Blackest black. Waterproof. Extreme wear. It’s easy to hurl superlatives at this calligraphy pen-inspired beauty that holds a no-transfer, no-fade formula. Which, by the way, also claims to be the very blackest, very shiniest black on the market. But what wows me is not just what’s within – the
sleek design worthy of the eponymous fashion virtuoso’s imprint is a winner both in and out of our makeup pouch.

If you want to be spoilt for choice, try Tarte Skinny Smoldereyes Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner, $30.

 

Whether you are aiming for smouldering and sultry bedroom eyes, innocent doe-like peepers, or
the wide-awake look, this liner’s your go-to, thanks to its built-in smudger.
Doubling up as skin care, the formula also contains Amazonian clay to nourish skin and reduce surface oil – so eye makeup doesn’t slide off or disappear after lunch. Meanwhile, mineral pigments soothe and soften skin, while vitamin E delivers powerful anti-inflammatory actions.

Advertorials: Sephora Zoom Series

Really smart, all-in-one products, the BB and CC creams are hybrids of skincare and makeup: combining care actions such as hydration, SPF protection and makeup actions (skin tone, flawless appearance, radiance, etc.).

 

BB and CC creams display their common points: moisturise, identify, protect, and unify.

Their differences:

BB creams (Blemish Balm) conceal blemishes, and have a smoother texture and higher coverage.

CC Creams (Color Control) harmonise skin tone, have a lighter texture and provide a more natural
coverage.

 

How to wear them?

• Normal skin: wear BB or CC creams alone for light coverage or mix with your usual foundation for higher coverage
• Combination to oily skin: use the BB or CC cream as a base to improve makeup hold and control shine
• Dry skin: use BB or CC cream with your usual moisturiser for even greater benefits.

Starting from now till 31 July 2014

1. Sephora customers will be able to enjoy a direct 10% discount off the Sephora Zoom products
2. White Card members will get an additional 5% off.

Now which of the products are in the Sephora Zoom series?

SEPHORA ZOOM – BB CREAMS

• Boscia BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 27 PA++

This one-step wonder creates a lustrous, flawless finish as it hydrates, firms, and soothes the skin. It helps diminish the appearance of pores, fine lines, and uneven skin tone while providing long-wearing natural coverage that conceals imperfections. It has a self-adjusting shade formulated for all skin types.

Tip: Apply a small amount with fingertips using a press and roll motion. Work from the centre of

the face out to jawline and hairline. Follow with additional complexion or color products as

desired.

Price: S$58 – 50ml

 

• PureHeal’s Propolis 27 Cover Cushion SPF50 PA+++

An easy-to-use compact type blemish balm containing 27% of PureHeal’s iconic propolis to achieve a honey-glow skin tone. With up to SPF 50 PA+++ protection, this unique formula is highly moisturising and gives a glossy & radiant finish. The patented sponge features an air pump that infuses air into the formula to help make-up stay on longer.

Tip: Apply after basic skin care and tap on for areas that need more coverage. Reapply any

time throughout the day for effortless touch-ups.

Price: S$43 - 12g

• Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

More than just a 12-hour primer, this creamy multi-tasking formula also hydrates, corrects, treats, protects, and provides light to medium coverage for a radiant, youthful glow. The silky, oil-free formula helps smoothen skin texture and offers light to medium buildable coverage while diffusing the look of fine lines, wrinkles and pores.

Tip: Can be used alone or underneath a foundation for enhanced coverage. Disperse a small

amount to the back of your hand, then lightly dab onto face and gently blend.

Price: S$54 - 30ml (Available in 4 shades)

SEPHORA ZOOM – CC CREAMS

• Sephora CC Care + Color SPF 20

 

This cream has an unprecedented dual formula that combines the effectiveness of a care product with universal "chameleon" pigments to beautify the skin from the very first application. In one step, it moisturises, smoothens fine lines, evens out skin tone, reduces blemishes and redness, tightens pores, increases the brightness of the skin, and prevents early signs of ageing. It is paraben-free, non-comedogenic, and dermatologically tested; suitable even for sensitive skin.

Tip: For skin that is prone to dryness, mix CC Color + Care cream with your usual moisturiser for even greater comfort.

Price: S$30 - 30ml

 

• Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF30

An anti-ageing treatment, sunscreen, complexion corrector, moisturiser and tint all-in-one. The key ingredient is Camu Camu, an Amazonian superfruit that has 30 times the vitamin C of an average orange. Anti-oxidant vitamins C & E help fight free-radical attacks and improve the appearance of uneven skin tone, imperfections, fine lines, and wrinkles. Formulated without parabens & phthalates.

Tip: Apply to face & neck liberally 15min before sun exposure. Re-apply every 2 hours for best results.

Price: S$85 - 50 ml (Available in 2 shades)

• Kate Somerville IllumiKate CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ PA++
  
  
  
  
  
  

Clinical skincare meets illuminating coverage. This multi-functional tinted complexion correcting cream instantly minimises the look of imperfections with buildable coverage. Broad spectrum SPF 50+ protects skin from the sun’s harmful rays while known brightening agents such as arbutin, licorice extract, and natural amino acids help improve and even out skin tone for more a luminous, youthfullooking skin over time.

Tip: Apply a thin, even layer all over the face. Can be used alone or layered over a treatment serum.

Price: S$78 - 30ml (Available in 3 shades)

 

The above mentioned are only the few brands in the Sephora Zoom series.

Hurry make your way down to Sephora stores in Singapore now to find out more!

 

 

 

Sponsored Review: E'spuma Lab @ Pomo Mall (1 Selegie Road)

Went for a tasting last Wednesday.
It was actually my day off, but since I don't really reject any offers if I can, I went for it.
I requested to bring along a plus 1 as I had an appointment with her.

The outlet is actually quite small, with limited seats available.

A brief introduction of what to expect:

E’spuma Lab at Pomo is a new casual dining outlet that makes use of espuma and sous vide in its dishes at wallet-friendly prices!

espuma: 

• Spanish for foam or froth
• a culinary technique in which an espuma siphon is used to infuse air into food, creating an airily light mouthfeel. espuma adds an interesting new dimension to the texture of natural ingredients that have been pureed, mashed or juiced.

sous vide:

• culinary technique in which food is cooked in a vacuum at a constant temperature, using a Thermal Circulator. This technique helps ensure perfectly cooked eggs – without having to use an egg timer. Thicker or uneven cuts of meat sometimes are not cooked evenly or become tough and dry due to overcooking, but sous vide ensures that the meat remains tender throughout.

This is the menu of E'spuma:

Done with the introductions, on to the dishes!

My first dish was Sous Vide Egg with Smoked Norwegian Salmon.

The egg is cooked in a tank at a constant temperature using a Thermal Circulator. The egg is served with smoked Norwegian Salmon, topped with Crispy Salmon Skin and Ginger Soyu.

From the picture, don't you think it looks like soft-boiled eggs?

It tasted like soft-boiled eggs too!

Sous Vide Egg with Smoked Norwegian Salmon elevates the local breakfast favourite of soft-boiled eggs to new heights with the addition of premium ingredients. 

The difference I feel is that, soft-boiled eggs gets its salty taste from dark soya sauce,

but this dish, the salty taste comes from the smoked salmon and the salmon skin.

I don't usually eat salmon skin, but this salmon skin is really crispy and fragrant.

The smoked salmon is a tad too salty, but is perfect when you eat it with the eggs.

2nd dish was a main course.

My friend ordered a Curry Chicken with E'puma Potato Foam.

The chicken is cut into small chunks, cooked with various spices & simmered till tender. It is paired with potato foam & crispy curry fritters.

I think this is a creative twist to Singapore's famous Curry Chicken.

The curry chicken is very flavourful, and the Potato Foam tasted like mashed potato. The texture is much lighter than mashed potato, but the taste is almost similar.

With the crispy Curry fritters, the dish combines fragrance, crispness and flavour all in one!

My first main dish on the other hand was the Sautéed Mushrooms with E'spuma Potato Foam.

I am a big fan of mushrooms, as I think they have so much Umami in them, which is the main reason why mushrooms have a really nice sweet taste to it even if you eat it alone.

The mushrooms to this dish are really well cooked, but I think it fared below my expectations. (Maybe because I had the Curry Chicken dish first.) 

The main dishes with the E'spuma Potato Foam, I feel they are suitable for people who are on a diet.

Potatoes have a much lower calorie count than rice, and don't under-estimate the size of the potato foam. It is really really filling, especially after you had the appetiser.

Our serving for the appetiser was only in a tasting portion that day, and I was already full. 

Imagine having it in the normal portion!

On to our 2nd main dish!

My friend had Fragrant Rice Served with Cajun Chicken Leg and E'spuma Curry Sauce

The rice tasted like Chicken Rice, but a little lighter in taste. With the addition of raisins, it feels like a Chinese or Western version of Nasi-Briyani.

The E'spuma Curry Sauce here is not as fragrant as the previous Curry Chicken dish.

To me, it tasted like the Singapore version of Japanese Curry? (Complicated I know, but that's what I feel).

It tasted lighter, but still had the Singapore taste to it.

The chicken, perfectly tender. The skin was flavourful, and most importantly, not fatty!

Looks quite similar to the PangGang in Ngee Ann Polytechnic don't you think?

For my 2nd main dish, I tried the Garlic Spaghetti With Chicken Cutlet & Espuma Bacon Sauce.

To be honest, this dish isn't really good.

The chicken was quite a small portion (for me). I like fried chicken, so a bigger portion will be able to satisfy me. It didn't taste special as well, tasted like any other chicken cutlet out there.

The spaghetti was dry. I preferred the Fragrant Rice Served with Cajun Chicken Leg and E'spuma Curry Sauce more than this dish.

Finally for the add-ons, since both my friend and I don't take durian, we both had the Calamari

This dish is more well-done than my 2nd main dish. 

The fish is crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. The only thing I feel is that the batter used is a tad too salty.

Someone had the Durian Fritters, so here's a picture of it.

The durian smell wasn't as strong as I expected. She was sitting next to me, but I could only smell the durian when she cuts it open, and the smell was also not as strong. According to the PR, premium D24 durians are used to make this dish. For all the durian lovers out there, I am sure you guys know the value of D24.

Enjoy a 3-course set meal comprising a bowl of Cream of Mushroom with Sautéed Shitake and Wild Rice, your choice of main course, and a drink for an amazingly wallet-friendly S$8.80 nett! (With no extra charges like GST or service charge). Rest assure that there are no hidden charges as well.

Rate: 3/5

For the price of $8.80 nett, you get to have a 3 course meal, I think it is actually very worth it. Considering the meal to be very filling and special. If you choose the right dishes, you will actually be very satisfied.

You get to try E'spuma and Sous Vide dishes for only $8.80. What more can you expect.

Perfect for students, and small gatherings.

Read the shorten Chinese version here!