Samples Received/Redeemed: March/April 2014

My humble apologies for not blogging anything here in the past 2 months as I was a little too tired and exhausted from all the hectic activity from work and at home as I was also actively trying to re-arrange my room due to samples being stashed here and there ^^;

It's not easy being a samples blogger since samples are the main priority here at this blog, and it didn't help that my unhealthy obsession with shower gels are literally spilling out of my regular storage spaces. It's not that I'm using it slow, but as the saying goes, a little goes a long way. Squeezing so much out for a short bath session just simply screamed "wastage", so a little is used. And at the same time, I kept stocking up on more shower gels that it definitely looked like I'm a really slow user.

Anyways, I didn't get much samples for the month of March and April, hence another sudden decision to just combine these 2 months together in one post instead of dragging it out into 2 posts. Along the way, I'll add a sample authorization letter up on my Facebook page for easy access to anyone who needs it to collect prizes won for 2 accounts. Back to the main issue, here's a look at the samples I've received and redeemed for the past 2 months~

Previously, I did a Sponsored Review on a Peripera product and also got to know that the Watsons flagship store at Takashimaya are selling assorted Peripera products. Hence I decided to go forth and check out what other Peripera products are on offer.

I ended up getting the Peri's Tint Marker in Pink Shade and Peri's Tint Water in Cherry Juice 1. Loving those 2 shades as the the Tint Marker is in a lovely shade of pink that just isn't too overly pink at all while the Tint Water is just way too easy to apply. Both shades doesn't shade off that fast, able to last up to 6+ hours in total before having to re-apply again due to wear-and-wipe issues. And by wear-and-wipe issues, I meant "go for break, wipe mouth and tint color off" kinda scenario LOL

Along the way, I got the Nivea Body Lotion In-Shower Skin Conditioner and a Veet Hair Removal Cream since my previous one is running low already.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: No samples up for grabs, but you can try and see the shade from the display items instead.

E-cover was previously hosting a sampling giveaway and since I somehow missed out on the previous few due to the collection location, I decided to go for this one as I intended to go to Watsons Takashimaya for the Peripera products and Ion Orchard was one of the collection outlets listed. The sample I redeemed is a Ecover Lemon and Aloe Vera Washing-Up Liquid (100ml). Apparently, it stated that one squeeze is enough for a sink full of dirty dishes which I took it to meant 1 or 2 drops.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Sampling activity is over. However, Ecover has already ran a few sampling activity for their newly launched similar products, so I am guessing that if the sales are not good or if people are too hesitant to try something new, they will run another sampling giveaway to introduce their new products to even more people to try. Meanwhile, go over to Ecover Singapore facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EcoverSG and Like their page as a fan to be notified and imformed of future sampling activities :D

Vitamin.sg was previously hosting a contest giveaway, I ended up forgotting the mechanics, but then I wasn't happy with the prize I won, so I tried again on a secondary FB account, albeit under my mother's name and won something different. And just as I was fretting over how to collect prizes meant for 2 persons, I belatedly realized something. I can just print out a authorization letter and get my mother to sign up. That epic fail moment of mine LOL

Anyway, I managed to redeemed both set of prizes together. They are:

• on-Acidic Ester-C 500 MG: 60 Capsules
• Stazen Spirulina Pacifica: 400 Tablets
• Stazen - Natural Astaxathin: 60 Capsules

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Sampling contest is over. After all, I only got to know about it a mere few days before the contest ended. But you can still go over to Vitamin.sg Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/vitaminsg and Like their page as a fan to be informed of any upcoming contests and giveaways.

Just a note: The collection location was a pain in the arse to get to, literally and figuratively. I felt like I was being slowly baked to perfection under the hot sun and the occasional breeze wasn't helping much D:

Pfizer previously had a survey where participants can receive a CapitaMall voucher. It's not the first time they did the survey and reward activity, but it's a little erratic on how often they do this since it's not tagged to any upcoming public holidays or whatsoever.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Redemption is over. Although I would suggest to keep a close lookout under the Sponsored ads section, just under your FB requests and beside the statuses section.

The Sample Store had some new Sponsored samples up for grabs, if I remembered correctly. But I tend to skip the ones such as toothpastes since I'm also a darn slow user of toothpastes. I probably have enough in my stash to last up to 2 or 3 years without having the need to buy one for now. The sample I redeemed is the La Roche-Posay 30 SPF Aqua Fresh Gel, I received 2 sample sachets with each sachet at 2ml.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: This sample has been fully redeemed. But my suggestion is this, check the "Sponsored Samples" tab over at The Sample Store website at least once or twice a week. As "Sponsored Samples" doesn't cost anything, not even postage fee to send out, certain samples get redeemed pretty fast before you know it. So, maybe a check around the middle and the end or start of the week to see if anything new is up for grabs.

Frankly speaking, I can't recall where I got this sample from, but it could be from the "Sponsored Samples" tab over at The Sample Store website. Anyway, the sample received is the NeoStrata Triple Firming Neck Cream, it's one sample sachet at 2g.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Sampling activity is over.

I got this Seven Seas Jointcare sample previously. It supposedly helps maintain supple and flexible joints, and consists of 20 capsules.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: I'm not sure if the sampling activity is over, but you can still give it a try. Go over to JointCare R&R Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JointCareRnR and Like their page as a fan first. Next, look for the Like It Live It tab, after which you just need to click on the Redeem Sample tab in the page. Fill in your details and wait for the sample to arrive in your mailbox.

The Sample Store previously had several Sponsored samples up for grabs, needless to say, I grabbed most of them since I was able to do so without restrictions.

First up, the Cure Natural Aqua Gel sample is synonymous with exfoliating lovers out there. It's expensive, but natural. And did I mentioned that you have to use it fast after opening the bottle as it doesn't last long?

This sample sachet is 3g in weight and can last enough for a one-time use if you were to use it not only on your face, but all over your body or whichever part of your body needs exfoliation.

Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Lotion at 9ml. Just as well, my previous samples are starting to run low too xD

W.H.I.T.E Complex CC Cream at 10ml. To be honest, I haven't been using any BB or CC creams for the past 6 months as I found out that it clogs my pores, and leaves streak marks, it's a miracle how on earth I applied it to make the streak marks visible despite following traditional BB and CC Cream application methods. Could be the sebum though, I'm guessing ^^;

Hada Labo Cleansing Oil with High Purity Olive Oil, 5 sample sachets each weighing 3ml. 1 sample sachet is enough to clear off 1 or 2 days worth of full facial make-up, and because it is oil, you need not have to use too much in the first place.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: All these fore-mentioned sponsored samples have been fully redeemed, except for the Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Lotion.

Vital Greens Singapore was previously holding a sampling activity over at their Facebook page. And right after I shared the link, I had a few of my page members PM me their mailing address... Oh well, I rectify the issue as soon as I found out. Anyway, I received 10 packs of Vital Greens, each weighing 5g. The usage is almost similar to collagen powder, mix it with a drink or sprinkle on your favorite food and nom it up.

In truth, I'm a picky vegetable eater. I just don't like celery, no matter how you cook it. I hate stir-fried capsicums, but if it were to be cooked in pasta or grilled, I'd happily eat everything up xD

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Sample redemption is over. But if you are gung-ho enough to want to wait for the next sampling activity, go over to Vital Greens Singapore Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VitalGreensSingapore and Like their page as a fan to be updated and informed of upcoming contests and sampling activity.

Lord know who went all out and got these, but majority of full-time female staffs at my work place got this. The goodies I found inside were:

• QV Gentle Wash: 15g
• QV Skin Lotion: 15ml
• QV Face Moisturizing Day Cream: 10g
• QV Gentle Cleanser: 15g
• Endometriosis Awareness Campaign SmartPhone Charm Plug

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Not a clue. I was given this randomly as soon as I stepped into my workplace LOL

MyCarForum was previously hosting a giveaway of some sort, I just randomly tried and got myself a Car Grip Mat. Luckily, it's just a Car Grip Mat and nothing bigger for actual car usage since I don't have a car ^^ But on the contrary, I have my left "kah" and right "kah" though~

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Contest giveaway is over.

Another bout of freebies/samples from The Sample Store. Seems like they're on a roll now, as new Sponsored Samples are popping up every now and then. I got kinda spooked and ended up checking the website once a day just to be sure not to miss out on any free-postage samples ^^;

First up is this Hiruscar gel sample, weighing at 7g. Supposedly helps to soften and smoothen hard scars, such as surgery scars, accident scars, burn scars, pimple scars as well as stretch marks. Gonna try it on my current pimple scars that has been forever-in-eruption on my left cheek..

Essential has a new product, can you guess what it is?

It's called the Essential Sleeping Hair Mask, weighing at 3ml per sample sachet. Can last from a week to 1.5 or 2 weeks in total, since not much is needed for application in the first place.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Sample redemption is over. It was pretty much cleared out as soon as the sample went up.

Why not like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PuNiaosProductReviews to be informed of latest samples I found, which is duly updated? Also includes updates to health, beauty & lifestyle tips at least once a day. It will definitely save you the trouble of having to hunt them down :)

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Monthly Topic #15: The writing's on the wall

Want to know more about his romantic potential? Just take a look at his handwriting for a few clues on what makes him tick...

~Image Source: Liz Tapp Design~

• If you want someone who's passionate and possibly with a strong libido, look for a guy who writes with heavy pressure strokes of the pen – he's probably the brooding, intense type.
• If you're looking for a guy with a lighter sense of humour, the start of his letters may be twiddly and wavy, but his letters reach all the way to the baseline (where the line would sit if he was writing on a lined paper).
• Watch out for vanity in a guy if his t's and d's reach much higher than any of the other letters – if he's really self-worshipping, where does that leaves you, right?
• Big, wide writing, with big margins between the writing and the edge of the paper, tend to show a guy who's generous and willing to spend. Smaller writing, naturally implies he's more careful with the cash. However, if you're talking about the spacing between the words, narrow spacing could be good because this guy loves warmth and sympathy.
• Want a sophisticated man? Look out for handwriting that shrinks as he goes along the sentence – but be careful because this guy could also look down on others.
• If you're avoiding men who are a little too self-centred, look at this capital letters – if they're huge, compared with the other letters, it could show that he's a limelight hog.
• And if his g's, y's, j's, p's and q's all extend far down below the line, he could be a very earthly, sensual guy.
• Men whose handwriting is a long, connected chain tend to have good memories and concentration, whereas if his writing's all broken up, obviously he's less able to concentrate – which could also mean that he occasionally gets great ideas.

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Kracie Ichikami Moisturizing Care Conditioner (Apricot) Review

WHAT IS IT: Kracie Ichikami Moisturizing Care Conditioner (Apricot)

THE PRODUCT(S):

Kracie Ichikami Moisturizing Care Conditioner: Formulated with concentrated Pure Japanese Botanical extracts to intensively repair damaged hair, resulting in shiny, silky hair. Replenishes hair's moisture and shine lose due to damage. Hydrates hair and scalp and prevents damage caused by dryness. With doubled moisturizing ingredients Apricot Oil and Tea Flower extract for hair and scalp.

The big bottle comes with a pump nozzle that I like for easy access, although I prefer flip caps as it's easier to bring around if I need to shower away from home.

It looks thick and creamy, but it spreads decently onto wet hair and it doesn't take too much effort nor trouble to rinse it off.

VERDICT: Let me just say this straight. I love the scent Krachie Ichikami products have, it's so flowery and fruit at the same time without making you feel nauseous. Normally, I am not a flower and fruity kind of person, fruit I can handle. But flowery is just too girly for me, it's just, I don't know. Flowers or flowery is more suited for girls who are dainty, small and sweet and I just feel sort of "over-sized" for dainty, small and sweet no matter how I tried to look at it. Each and every Krachie Ichikami product have different scents, but they always delight and amaze me all the time.

The texture and consistency is typical of most regular conditioners, the only different is the apricot and sakura fragrance that doesn't overwhelm. It spreads well on wet hair and easy to smooth onto hair without much difficulty needed. As I find that the conditioner works really well, I don't need to leave it longer than supposed to and when it's time to rinse it off, it just washes off easily without having to re-rinse repeatedly, something most conditioners should be able to do.

After shower, I noticed my hair smelling wonderful with a fruit and flowery scent that is mild and unnoticeable unless a gust of wind decides to show up. And my hair felt so smooth and soft, it's almost like my hair was never damaged from coloring before. Normally, conditioners just simply made hair feel soft and smooth but you can still tell it's not quite enough at all. It needs to feel soft, smooth and healthy like virgin hair which this product somehow managed to achieve for my not so greatly abused hair.

And despite my hair drying up from the wetness and a day after, my hair didn't lose the softness and smoothness at all. It actually lasts for as long as the next shower session. A little something I am really grateful for as Krachie Ichikami's philosophy is hair first, appearance second. If you have lousy looking hair that looks oily and mangled/tangled, people's perception of you is greatly reduced. Whereas if the hair looks healthy, your appearance can still be slightly overlooked, they'll probably credit it to rushing, hence the slightly messy appearance.

Let's face it, if I were to meet someone for the first time and if that person has really messy, dirty, oily and untidy hair, even if he or she is dressed to kill, I wouldn't want to make any acquaintance at all. However, if the other party has really clean, tidy and healthy looking hair whereas the clothes just look maybe a little crumpled, I'll just ignore the clothes as he or she was probably rushing for time and rushed all the way to the meeting point, isn't it?

VERDICT: ✓✓✓

WHAT I THINK: The fragrance of the product is alright, as it's not too heavy nor cloying. Yet at the same time, it doesn't feel as if the scent got heavier even after usage. And my hair looked clean, glossy and healthy too.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: So far, I've never come across samples for this particular conditioner yet.

Why not like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PuNiaosProductReviews to be informed of latest samples I found, which is duly updated? Also includes updates to health, beauty & lifestyle tips at least once a day. It will definitely save you the trouble of having to hunt them down :)

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Curel Intensive Moisture Care Moisture Lotion II Review

WHAT IS IT: Curel Intensive Moisture Care Moisture Lotion II

THE PRODUCT(S):

Curel Intensive Moisture Care Moisture Lotion II: Contains Eucalyptus extract that penetrates deeply into the stratum corneum so skin becomes smooth, fully moisturized and resistant to external irritation. Helps to improve your skin's natural barrier function, soothe and protect skin from dryness. Leaves a thoroughly moist feel. Suitable for dry skin.

Honestly, I kept thinking it's supposed to be a toner of some sort, but the description made it sound like it isn't. I'm just going to presume it is a toner and used it as such.

VERDICT: The scent! Despite the product claiming that it contains eucalyptus, I can't really smell anything eucalyptus or minty out of it. I think this is a product line that focus more on proving the product works than to focus on the scent, which I think it s bonus. If not, some of us are just going to buy some Curel products, sniff at it day in and day out and refused to touch it until our nose OD (Over Dose) on the scent and never actually try it out. I once encountered a facial scrub that is supposedly pineapple-based, but it looks more like car perfume. Everyone who bought the related magazine that gives out that pineapple scrub for free commented that they used it for their cars than to use it on their face LOL

The moisture lotion's texture and consistency is typical of regular toner or toner-esque products, so I'm just going to skip it. But I did noticed that it doesn't irritate my skin, and surprisingly, it is light but at the same time, I did feel the toner on my skin as opposed to previous brands I won't named, where the toner just simply feels as if I am rubbing tap water on my skin only. Let's just say this Moisture Lotion II doesn't make you feel like you are rubbing tape water on your skin.

After application, I proceed to apply/layer on my other skincare products with in between 15 to 20 minutes time for my skin to absorb the products. And so far, it never "clashed" with the other brand name products I am using. However, I also noticed that this Moisture Lotion II itself isn't making me see any difference to my skin at all. I believe people with really dry or really sensitive skin would benefit more from this product than someone who have oily/combination skin.

VERDICT: ✓✓

WHAT I THINK: It's really lightweight on the skin, which I think is more suited for dry/sensitive skin than oily/combination skin.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Curel website and Facebook page regularly hosts sampling acitivity whenever they released new products or product line, so you might want to keep track of their Facebook page instead. Not sure if you can still get samples for this particular line though.

Why not like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PuNiaosProductReviews to be informed of latest samples I found, which is duly updated? Also includes updates to health, beauty & lifestyle tips at least once a day. It will definitely save you the trouble of having to hunt them down :)

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Phyto Subtil Elixir Review

WHAT IS IT: Phyto Subtil Elixir

THE PRODUCT(S):

Phyto Subtil Elixir: A subtle blend of four enhancing oils, the efficiency of this unique elixir lies in the perfect alchemy of camellia, karanja, egg yolk and corn germ that act together to reveal the full beauty of hair and deliver softness and shine. SUBTIL ELIXIR provides nutrition, it enhances and illuminates dry and ultra dry hair with incredible lightness.

This fine, lightweight, and easy-to-rinse oil effortlessly penetrates into each strand bringing damaged, dehydrated hair back to life. The formula restructures ultra-dry hair while leaving a discreet fragrance of banana leaf, passion flower, gardenia, and exotic musk notes. Hair feels immediately replenished and its original softness and shine are restored.

Looks like it's really heavy and will weight down hair once applied, but surprisingly, it does. Tangled hair ends just simply smooth out without any effort needed after a light application.

VERDICT: I love this product's scent as it is so wonderful although I can't really put a finger to exactly what the scent reminds me of as it leaves a discreet fragrance of banana leaf, passion flower, gardenia, and exotic musk notes. which sounded like it's going to be those weird scent. But surprisingly, it doesn't. It smells just, wonderful, to sum it up in one word.

Despite it being oil-like and looking like typical hair oil, I find that it is really lightweight on my hair. Whether I have long or short hair, I find that I tend to have tangled ends on a daily basis. But this product actually smoothed out the tangled ends without making me lose hair and it doesn't really weigh down my hair. Although if you have oily scalp/hair, you might want to go easy on the amount applied to your hair though. As this is a pre-shampoo treatment, it doesn't affect the overall effects even after washing my hair with my usual shampoo.

Normally, I'm a kiasu type of person whenever a product says "Leave on for X minutes", I tend to leave it on longer partly because I tend to forgot I have pre-shampoo treatment or pre-shower or pre-whatever I've done. And surprisingly, it doesn't make my hair feel extra oily and limp even if I go past the allocated time indicated. I think you can leave this product overnight on your hair, but as usual, don't go overboard with it. Just around 1 or 2 pumps, depending on how long or how short your hair is.

And despite washing it off with shampoo, I am amazed at how soft and smooth my hair felt. It feels as if it was virgin hair a.k.a hair that hasn't been colored, perm, treated or generally "abused" at a salon just for the sake of fashion and beauty. It just feels like my hair from when I was still a teenager and school students weren't allowed to color or perm or even style their hair outrageously inside school. And my hair felt so glossy, like those hair advertisement you see on television and magazine, but without feeling oily at all.

As I had quite a few sample sachets, I gave the remaining packs to my manager at work who mentioned that her hair is so dry and brittle. She never got back to me about how her hair improved or not, although I could see her hair looking less dry. And because she colored her hair, I also noticed the color of her hair looking so glossy and beautiful, as if she just barely went for a re-color treatment just a few hours ago.

VERDICT: ✓✓✓

WHAT I THINK: I heard the actual retail size bottle is rather expensive, but hey, if the sample already gave more than it promised, I believed the price is worth spending.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: I previously got my samples when Phyto just released this in Singapore and was hosting a sampling activity. You can pop by any Phyto/Beauty by Nature outlet and ask if they have samples for this.

Why not like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PuNiaosProductReviews to be informed of latest samples I found, which is duly updated? Also includes updates to health, beauty & lifestyle tips at least once a day. It will definitely save you the trouble of having to hunt them down :)

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Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Skin Clarifying Mud Mask Review

WHAT IS IT: Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Skin Clarifying Mud Mask Strawberry & Yarrow

THE PRODUCT(S):

Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Skin Clarifying Mud Mask Strawberry & Yarrow: Pores Be Pure is the skin-clarifying mud mask that helps to eliminate impurities and clear blocked pores. With the help of Strawberry, Yarrow and Rosemary, Pores Be Pure provides your skin with instant complexion perfection. Packed with anti-oxidants, berries much like the Strawberry found in Pores Be Pure are great for your memory and great for your pores!

The product looks really thick and unspreadable, but surprisingly, it literally "melted" as soon as I start spreading it around my face :D

As long as you apply a thin enough amount to cover your skin and not let any patch of skin show up, it dries up pretty decently. A slight tingling sensation was felt when it slowly started to dry.

VERDICT: I absolutely love the light berry scent on this product, when was the last time I got to buy and try out a product that smells like berry without being over-cloying. Never! So, the scent was a nice surprise when I opened up the foil seal and squeezed out the mask to apply. I bought this together with the other 2 Formula 10.0.6, which unfortunately, was the only 3 products Watsons had in their store before it overwent a much-needed renovation. Even after application onto the skin, I don't find the scent anymore annoying. Instead, the scent is more like, if you sniff it straight from the bottle, you get that berry scent. But if you apply it onto your skin, the berry scent doesn't waft over to your nose without warning.

As I am game enough to try out new mud packs and mud masks of any type, I thought this one of many favorite products of mine, considering that I checked out their website and realized that most of their products contained fruits or vegetables of some type, which just sounded so naturally good for the skin. Imagine this, strawberries boost our skin with natural brightness while the rosemary part is actually good for oily and combination skin types. Yep, I am a total sucker for mud packs and mud masks that contains fruit and vegetables of some sort in it.

The texture and consistency looked thick and creamy and at the same time, it also looked as if it's really hard to spread out. But surprise, it wasn't. Maybe it's the body heat we have, but as soon as the product comes into contact with my skin and I started to spread/brush it out, it just smooths and spreads out gently without having to use brute force of any type. Like all masks, this one also need a thin layer on the face to do the job and because it is a clarifying mud mask, I felt this tingling sensation on my skin which I thought was just enough. Not over-the-top tingling that made you attempt the silent scream with your mouth wide open.

And when the mask itself dries up on my skin, I find that it dries pretty well without making my skin feel too tight. It also washes off nicely without having to scrub it off. Just step under the shower, let the tap water flow onto your skin to re-soften the dried mask and slowly massage it off. I tend to use mud masks prior to showering, so it works out for me when I step into the shower to get if off instead of bending over a sink and feel like I have to scrub it off.

As my skin is more of the oily/combination type, I find that this product does it's job in drawing excess sebum out. And hours after using it, I noticed my skin doesn't look like it's too oily and there was this natural brightness. And I loved how my pores and skin felt cleaner after using this product. Normal mud masks just simply clean off gunk from the surface of your skin most of the time, but because this product contains 2% salicylic acid, it actually managed to get my pores clean. Do note that if you have really sensitive or dry skin, it might sting like crazy instead of a slight cooling and tingling sensation.

VERDICT: ✓✓✓

WHAT I THINK: It felt great to use on my skin, the berry scent is really wonderful without being over-cloying and I find my skin calmer, cleaner, clearer and brighter from using it.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: No samples for redemption.

Why not like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PuNiaosProductReviews to be informed of latest samples I found, which is duly updated? Also includes updates to health, beauty & lifestyle tips at least once a day. It will definitely save you the trouble of having to hunt them down :)

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How does eyeliner work?

Originally quoted from The Beauty Isle Insider by
The Creators of The Beauty Brains

~Image from: Glasses Online Blog~

Eyeliners are formulated into two basic types: pencils and liquids. While the details vary, both types use the same basic ingredients.

Basic Ingredients

The base is the backbone of the formula. In the case of pencils, it's the waxy/greasy matrix that forms the core of the pencil; in the liquids it's the water/oil emulsion in which the rest of the ingredients are suspended.

Typical base ingredients includes waxes and oils, emollients (spreading agents) and, in the case of the liquid type, water and emulsifiers.

Colors

Colorants in eyeliners (and other cosmetics used around the eye) must be approved by the FDA (in the United States). Colorants that can be incorporated in products for other parts of the body aren't necessarily safe enough to be used around your eyes.

Typical colorants include iron oxides and ultramarine pigments. Carmine is another colorant you see from time to time. It's a red color made from crushed insect bodies.

Control Agents

These are added to eyeliner formulations to make sure the product meets specifications when it's manufactured and that it maintains high quality. These include chemicals that control the pH, or acid/base balance of the product, and that keep the product free of bacteria and mold. In some oil-based formulas, an antioxidant may be added to keep the waxes and oils from going rancid.

Typical control agents include tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E), used for its antioxidant properties, as well as citric acid, methylparaben and propylparaben.

Featured Ingredients

Several things can be added to eyeliners to make them more appealing to consumers. These ingredients don't change the way the product works or the way it looks, but marketers add them because women think they are helpful. For some reason, aloe vera is a popular featured ingredient.

There are two ways that understanding eyeliner ingredients could be helpful. Let's say your favorite eyeliner is being discontinued. If you know what kind of base ingredients to look for, you might be able to pick a replacement without having to try so many new products. On the flip side, if you're experiencing irritation or an allergic reaction to your eyeliner, you might be able to figure out what ingredients to stay away from when you shop for a new one.

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The Color of Love

Originally quoted from The Beauty Isle Insider by
The Creators of The Beauty Brains

~Image from: MakeUp4All~

The color red has long been associated with St. Valentine's Day. It's the color of the blood that runs through our hearts, so it's not surprising that it's always been linked to love and passion.

We see the color of passion reflected all over fashion and cosmetics. Everyone has (or should have!) a sexy red lipstick or nail polish for special romantic occasions. These products and many others exist thanks to the miracle of modern chemistry which has give us colorants such as FD&C red #40 and D&C red #33.

Of course, we weren't always lucky enough to have such a rainbow of reds to choose from. Originally, red dye came from a more natural, yet more disgusting source: crushed insect bodies - the cochineal insect to be precise.

These bugs grow in certain varieties of cacti. They're hand-picked and immersed in hot water to kill them and to dissolve the waxy coating of their shells. The dead bugs are dried in the sun and then ground into a fine powder that can be used as dye for fabrics, foods and cosmetics.

Today, modern chemistry can synthetically create a wide variety of red dyes, so we don't have to rely on picking bugs off cacti to make our pucker look pretty. And that's just one more reason to be thankful to cosmetics chemists!

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B.liv Off With Those Heads - Blackheads Sebum Gel Review

WHAT IS IT: B.liv Off With Those Heads – Blackheads Sebum Gel

THE PRODUCT(S):

B.liv Off With Those Heads – Blackheads Sebum Gel: Say goodbye to painful squeezing! This light cooling gel promises to easily remove stubborn blackheads and whiteheads in just 14 days of daily application. It keeps excessive oil secretion under control while preventing future irritation and breakouts.

I got a few of this due to b.liv running sampling activities once in a while, and honestly, this is like my 3rd or 4th sample bottle I am using now.

The gel itself is only a little runny, but it does get too runny once it comes into contact with our body heat. Mine was just sliding off my skin while I was trying to take this shot :(

VERDICT: Let's just skip the scent as I just didn't catch any sort of scent to it through vigorous sniffing only the scent of alcohol-like smell. Or maybe my nose isn't feeling well. Meh~

Basically, this little bottle of blackhead sebum gel's main function is to primarily clear out whiteheads and blackheads without ever needing to use those 'head extractors anymore. Sounds too good to be true? I agree with you there, no matter how great a product is, we still ultimately in the end, need to get that extractor out and squeeze away like sunrise isn't going to happen. Either that, or we're not going to step out of the house with a face full of whiteheads and blackheads.

This product has a gel consistency and texture, but it's easy to apply as it's really lightweight on the skin. Best part of all is that it has this cooling sensation when applied to the skin. Something every facial product need to have in hot and humid Singapore, we need a little "cooling" effect happen whenever we apply facial products. Luckily, I had no adverse reaction from using this product despite close to a month from using the sample bottles.

Basically, I only this product after the pre-essence and essence part, but before the actual facial serum and moisturizer. I can honestly say this product left a sticky sensation on my skin a few minutes after application. It almost feels as if I already applied facial moisturizer even though I have not. Technically, I only use it on my T-zone and only the T-zone area as this part of my face is more prone to whiteheads and blackheads. My cheeks are still okay, they do get the occasional whiteheads, but it's like only once in a bluemoon, so I am not too overly concerned as long as I cleaned my face correctly and moisturized properly and correctly.

As each bottle can last close to 2 weeks since I only use a really small amount, I noticed that I did somehow see a slight difference. There's almost no more whiteheads that I can see anymore with the naked eye, whereas blackheads seem to take longer to show up as opposed to the weekly blackhead affair that used to occur without fail. Besides, blackheads are actually easy to take care of, no matter how or which method to use. But whiteheads are a different matter, because it's a whitehead, it's not really noticeable at first glance.

As for the whiteheads, let's just say it softened up and with just a light press to my skin with the extractor, I was a little spooked out and amazed at the same time so much gunk and yucky things show up without warning. I'm just going to spare you all the gory images of squeezed out whiteheads and blackheads in case you all have a nightmare because of me. But still, I was impressed with the fact that the time I used this product, I didn't literally have to touch my extractor much. The only time I did was just to see if any softened whiteheads would come oozing out if I gave a gentle squeeze 0_0

VERDICT: ✓✓✓

WHAT I THINK: Pricey but actually works, even though I was skeptical at first. Hmm... I should be able to last through December and get an actual retail-sized bottle from my bonus + paycheck.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Whenever b.liv has sampling activities going on, this bottle is sure to be included with the sample kit. So, just keep a lookout for the next b.liv sampling activity coming up :)

Why not like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PuNiaosProductReviews to be informed of latest samples I found, which is duly updated? Also includes updates to health, beauty & lifestyle tips at least once a day. It will definitely save you the trouble of having to hunt them down :)

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