Express Your Love Naturally with APIVITA!

This coming friday is Valentine’s Day - the day dedicated to love. It is the day we celebrate the love we give and the love we get.

On this special day, "express your love naturally" by getting thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. APIVITA has specially created a luxurious skin-loving beauty menu (for bright & rejuvenated skin), which comprises of Express Beauty Masks made with fruits and vegetables.  

This V-Day special set [S$58] contains 6 mask variants:-

• Orange revitalizing mask [2x8ml]
• Apricot scrub for gentle exfoliation [2x8ml]
• Green clay mask for deep cleansing [2x8ml]
• Honey moisturizing and nourishing mask [2x8ml] 
• Pomegranate mask for natural glow [2x8ml]
• Gingko biloba mask for specialized eye care [2x2ml]

I like that the mask comes in sachet form, which is really travel-friendly and hygienic in a sense.

Hmm... I decided to use Pomegranate mask for natural glow since my skin is kinda dull recently. 

Pomegranate mask for natural glow
89% natural ingredients

• Pomegranate provides unique properties to revitalize the skin, restoring its natural radiance while simultaneously offering extraordinary antioxidant protection
• Rich in honey, olive oil and vitamins, this mask moisturizes the skin leaving it soft and supple

Exclusive Innovation: APIVITA replaces water in the face mask range with green tea infusion to enhance the antioxidant action of the products.

Excludes synthetic ingredients that may pose harmful effects to your health and the environment.

Free of: Parabens,Silicones and Propylene Glycol.

Ingredients: Aqua**, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Sorbitol, Aqua, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii*, Camellia Sinensis Leaf*, Caprylyl Glycol, Cellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Mannitol, Mel* Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil*, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77491, CI 77891

gross weight (g)=108

** Camelia Sinensis* Leaf Aqueous Infusion = Green tea water

* Certified organic cultivation

This Pomegranate mask for natural glow has a relatively light creamy, gel-like texture. There are some coral-colored bits, which I supposed are made up of pomegranate extract.

The coral-colored bits do not feel too harsh when applied onto the skin, coupled with some massaging. However, I do feel a slight tingly sensation on my skin when applying the mask. My skin is pretty sensitive to begin with.... maybe that explains why? Anyway, other than that, my skin does not react badly to the mask.

According to the instructions given, I apply a generous layer of mask evenly onto cleansed face avoiding the delicate eye area... all the way to the neck area. I leave it on for 10mins before rinsing off with water.

Since the mask layer is thick, it does take some time to rinse it off with warm water completely.

After mask-ing, my skin does look a lil' glowy and revitalized. And, my skin feels so much more hydrated, softer and more supple. I would say that Pomegranate mask for natural glow is an instant savior for revitalizing dull-looking skin. Needless to say, it will be a great idea to use it on the night before V-Day. Well, good skin day is every girl's dream... especially on such a special day!

APIVITA is located at ION Orchard B3-45/46 and VivoCity 01-04.

***All product info are extracted from press release and www.apivita.com***

Estetica ést.lab LumiWhite Brightening Facial Scrub

After a month of unannounced hiatus, I am back with a skincare review! There will be more to come... too many backlogs :x

Anyway, I received this tub of Estetica ést.lab LumiWhite Brightening Facial Scrub for review (via Cozycot) back in Nov.

According to Estetica, LumiWhite Brightening Facial Scrub gently exfoliates dead surface cells and impurities, to reveal a visibly smoother and fairer complexion. 

There is no direct contact with the facial scrub, since it comes in an airless pump jar (as shown in the above pic). This is indeed more hygienic, and also ensures that the product is kept sealed and fresh.

You just need to pump once... and voila!

This is how I've been using LumiWhite Brightening Facial Scrub for the past one month:

After cleansing with my usual facial foam, I pumped once and apply the facial scrub on damp skin. Then, I’ll massage my face gently in circular motion avoiding the sensitive eye area. Lastly, I’ll rinse thoroughly.

For maximum results, use twice a week (no more than that pls!). However, I only use once a week since my skin is pretty sensitive skin.

LumiWhite Brightening Facial Scrub has a creamy clay-like texture with tiny exfoliating bits. I find that it takes a bit more effort to rinse off thoroughly, as the consistency is slightly thick. Though my skin is sensitive, those tiny exfoliating bits do not feel too harsh when massaging the facial scrub on my skin. The key is to be gentle when massaging.

After exfoliating, my skin does not feel irritated, tight or dry. My complexion is noticeably clearer, brighter and smoother. And, skincare products get better absorbed into skin thereafter.

You can purchase Estetica ést.lab LumiWhite Brightening Facial Scrub (30ml) at S$62 HERE. 

Thank you for reading!

***All product info are extracted from press release.***

Biore Facial Foam - Skin Caring Cleanser Series

Biore has just launched its Facial Foam - Skin Caring Cleanser Series on 3 Jan 2013. This new Biore Facial Foam Series support and boost skin’s natural ability to self-renew. 

NEW! SPT (Skin Purifying Technology):

• high cleansing power as compared to its competitors.
• low irritation as cleansing chemical does not penetrate skin.
• the 1st cleanser that works to rebalance skin >> reduce oil at T-zone (forehead + nose) and replenish moisture at U-zone (cheek + chin).

Cleanses & Improves. 1 min is all you need. 

Due to hormonal changes, my skin suffered from massive breakouts few weeks ago. Hence, I opted for the Acne Care variant that is non-comedogenic AND contains anti-bacterial & anti-inflammation ingredients. I got to try out the Biore Facial Foam Scrub as well, which is suitable for all skin types.

Biore Facial Foam Scrub contains ultra fine (pink) beads to remove impurities and unclog pores. Both have distinct floral scent - sweet floral (Scrub), refreshing floral (Acne Care). Very pleasant and soothing scents.

- for your reference -

 

Biore Facial Foam (Acne Care) is a purifying and mild cleanser, which thoroughly clears and helps prevent acne without drying skin out.

Both are housed in this convenient squeeze tube (130g) with a flip-top cap, a typical packaging for facial foams.

Despite the rather slimy texture, the Acne Care Facial Foam does lather well. As you can see, the foam is not the dense and fluffy kind you get from the Biore Marshmallow Whip Facial Wash.

Biore Facial Foam Scrub is gentle enough for daily use. However, I don't use it on a daily basis. Thrice a week at most.

Like the Acne Care Facial Foam, it lathers well too.

How to use (both products)?

Wet face. Squeeze about 3cm amount onto palm (I squeeze 2cm only). Lather with water and massage gently onto face. Rinse thoroughly with water.

My thoughts:

Both Acne Care Facial Foam and Facial Foam Scrub cleanse well without stripping my skin of its moisture. And, they don't give that squeaky clean (taut) feeling. After using the Acne Care Facial Foam, my skin feels refreshed, thoroughly cleansed and soothed. As for the Facial Foam Scrub, it is really gentle on the skin as the ultra fine (pink) beads do not feel scratchy against the skin at all. My skin feels smooth and refined after every use.

As of now, I am glad to see my complexion has somewhat cleared up. My skin feels soft and supple, with lesser clogged pores and breakouts. As compared to few weeks ago, my skin definitely looks healthier and more radiant. I enjoyed using these products very much! Both retail for less than $10 each ($7.90 I think) at Watsons, Guardian and Sasa.

***All info and unmarked image are extracted from press release.***

RoC Soft Smoothing Scrub

I love using facial scrubs. However, I find that most are pretty harsh on the skin. For the past few months, I've been using RoC Soft Smoothing Scrub, which is really gentle yet effective. I use it weekly, 2 to 3 times at most. Excessive exfoliating will cause skin irritation and dry out the skin. 

RoC Soft Smoothing Scrub comes in a fuss-free plastic squeeze tube, which contains 125ml of product. Retails for $30.

On the tube, it says,

"Softly cleanses and purifies the skin, thanks to its micro exfoliating beads, to brighten up your complexion. Perfectly cleansed, your skin is smoothed, softened and more radiant. Use 2 or 3 times a week. Rinse with water. Should eye contact occur, rinse well.

FORMULATED TO MINIMISE RISK OF ALLERGIES."

The ingredients are as shown in the image above. 

I like its scent, something powdery floral. As you can see, it is a (soft) creamy scrub, containing beads of 2 different sizes. These pretty pink beads provide efficient and mild exfoliation. And, they don't feel harsh on the skin at all.  

When in contact with water, it quickly forms into a creamy gel texture which is easy to spread on the skin. It does foam a little, very-very little in fact. It gets rid of dead skin cells effectively. I'm glad that my skin does not feel tight after exfoliating, and skincare always gets better absorbed by my skin thereafter. True to its name, my skin feels soft and smooth. Not to mention, healthy and radiant looking! 

I don't have any skin irritation issues using this so far. This is unlike some facial scrubs, which make the skin look all red and irritated. This is great for all skin types. If you've sensitive skin, this IS the scrub for you - very soft AND mild!

RoC Soft Smoothing Scrub is available at selected Watsons, Guardian, Nishino Shaw House and Essential pharmacy.

Hope my review helps. Thank you for reading!

***All product info are extracted from press release.***