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Skincare

    Makeup, Skincare

    Haul: Watsons 22% Storewide Members Sale

    So… This happened on the one day I happened to be in Singapore – a 22% off Storewide Sale at Watsons!

    Of course I had to splurge on cutie patootie Japanese makeup & skincare!

    I happen to be a member because I do visit Singapore a lot (typical Indonesian!) LOL.

    Anyways, remembering I still had a whole stash of Sephora & American drugstore stuff I still haven’t even touched yet, I had to hold back. I can’t imagine what would happen if I hadn’t held myself back.

    So here’s what I got during the sale!

    Note: So sorry for the somewhat “cloudy” photos! I always take my photos using natural lighting and cloudy days are just the worst! 🙁 And I don’t have time to edit the photos much, but I hope you would still enjoy them!

    Read more

    Favorites, Makeup, Skincare

    November 2014 Beauty Favorites

    How crazy fast has this year flown by? I can’t believe December is here – the month I’ve been waiting for is finally here!
    I’m obsessed with Christmas. Have always been. And I’m so excited that I will finally be going on holiday NEXT WEEK! Can’t wait to share my travel diaries and culinary adventures with you guys.
    For now, let’s get into my beauty favorites for the month of November.
    I skipped October favorites because I really didn’t have much to share. I spent the whole month in and out of the hospital and getting used to nurturing my newborn bub, I didn’t have time for makeup and even skincare! Which was why I had a crazy bout of breakouts. Blargh.
    So, now that I’m much more settled and have adjusted well to my new life with Zayden, I’ve been able to spend more time playing with makeup and taking care of my skin.
    Last month was all about healing my breakouts and getting my makeup done on-the-go. Read on to see my favorites that really get the job done!

    Makeup

    L’Oreal Color Riche Lumiere Eyeshadow in 500 Gold Mania

    I bought this during the crazy 40% Priceline sale and oh – my – goodness I’m so glad I got this shadow. Seriously one of the prettiest gold eyeshadows I’ve ever encountered!
    I’ve been loving this eyeshadow for use as an all-over lid color. When I’m in a rush, I just swipe and blend this shadow on my eyelids and it looks like I’ve put a bit of effort in getting ready!
    This is a gel infused eyeshadow so the texture feels a bit more plush and a tad more “bouncy” than powder eyeshadows.
    I find that the best way to apply this shadow is to wet your brush or finger before picking up the shadow. It looks so much more vibrant and adheres on to the skin better when applied wet.
    The swatch on the left is a dry swatch, and the left is wet.
    How vibrant and beautiful is that?!

    MAC Face Kit by Rebecca Moses in Brown

    I’ve had this all-in-one palette for a while now, I think I purchased it last year at a Cosmetics Company Store outlet in Orlando. I love that those stores sell limited edition MAC goodies at such affordable prices!
    This palette or “face kit” comes with a powder blush (left) in shade Melba, four eyeshadows (Orb, All That Glitters, Smoked Sepia and Show Stopper) and two lip colors in Ravishing (top) and Myth (bottom).
    “All That Glitters” is my favorite MAC eyeshadow to date, and when I saw this palette I just had to have it because it had that shade and three other neutrals that can help me achieve my signature eye look (i.e. frosty champagne or gold all over the lids with a contoured crease and outer corners).
    Melba has always been one of my favorite MAC powder blushes too.
    The whole palette has a warm, coral tone to it but is perfect for any skintones or undertones.
    I’ve never actually touched the lipsticks but I love how they’re encased in a plastic cover that can open up and close to protect them.
    The palette also comes with a double ended brush – an eyeshadow brush on one end, a lip brush on the other end.
    This palette is perfect for traveling! Lately, I’ve been doing my makeup in the car – seriously don’t have time to do it at home. So this comes in very handy – four amazing eyeshadow shades, a very wearable powder blush and two lip colors (even though I’ve never used them!) and a double ended brush. Really helps save a lot of space when you can’t bring much!

    Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon in Brown

    The Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayons are my favorite pencil/crayon eyeliners because they seem to be the only ones that work for my waterline.
    I’m a contact lens wearer and pencil liners that have a lot of oil content in them would usually end up making my lens cloudy and blurry because the oils from the pencil would transfer on to the surface of the lens. Incredibly annoying!
    So, this is the only one that’s worked well for me so far. And it lasts a long time too, up to 6 hours!
    I love the black shade too but lately I’ve been using this a lot just in the outer corners of my lower lashline (not the waterline) to make my eyes “pop” a bit more and it would seriously last all day. And I guess it’s pretty water resistant because I use eye drops during the day and this doesn’t budge.
    I can’t live without this baby!

    Too Faced Teddy Bear Hair Brush Set

    Eek! Just how adorable are these brushes?!
    These (especially the eyeshadow brushes) have been the only ones I’ve been using for the past month and a half. Seriously. I’ve forgotten about all my other brushes.
    It comes with a powder, all-over shadow, contour, liner and blender brush. It’s everything I’ve ever needed! I just wish it’d come with a blush brush though, that’s be really handy!
    The four eyeshadow brushes are the only brushes I’d ever need to create any type of eye look and all five of them are the softest brushes I’ve ever had. It’s so soft that I get sleepy every time I use the powder brush all over my face. It’s that soft.
    I’m also obsessed with the makeup pouch that it comes with!!

    Gucci Face Sheer Blushing Powder in 060 Pink Camelia

    This has been my favorite blush for the past two months.
    Click here for my full review of my recent Gucci purchases.
    Can we just take a moment to appreciate the beautiful embossing on that pressed powder blush?
    I ordered this online only a few days after it’s released in the States and back then there were no swatches of any of their products available on the Web, so ordering this shade based on the pictures on the official Gucci website was such a gamble!
    I’m so glad I got this shade though, it’s a medium cool-toned pink with a luminous sheen to it.
    Swatched on the left hand side is the swatch of the blush once blended, and the right one is a heavy swatch, built on a few layers. It does look very cool toned when swatched heavily but when applied lighthandedly on the cheeks it has a very luminous sheen to it that I don’t even need to apply a highlighter on top of it to add dimension to my cheeks.
    I am also in love with the Gucci Eye Magentic Color Shadow Quad in 030 Crystal Copper but I don’t really want to include it in this month’s favorites because I’ve only used it once, and as beautiful as it was I wanted to give it a few more tries before I can list it as a favorite!
    Click here for my review of all my Gucci purchases.

    Makeup Bag with Brush Roll by LauraKCreations

    This has been my go-to makeup bag for the past month. I love it so much!
    A makeup bag with a brush roll attached to it? Yes, please!
    This makeup bag is handmade by Laura from LauraKCreations on Etsy and there are lots of different patterns and colors to choose from! You can even order a customized one. Check out her store here.
    I can fit all my Too Faced Teddy Bear Hair Brush Set brushes here and there’s space for one more, so I usually put my blush brush in there. And the makeup bag itself is pretty spacious. Great as a weekender or on-the-go makeup bag!

    Skincare

    Proactiv Plus Pore Targeting Solution

    Don’t know how I could live without THIS.
    I’ve been a Proactiv user for years but had to stop using it when I was pregnant. Not because the Benzoyl Peroxide, but because it was way too drying for my sensitive skin. My skin was super duper sensitive during pregnancy.
    Well I’m glad I got the Proactiv Plus Pore Targeting Solution because this is the new version of the original Proactiv 3-step system’s “Repair Lotion” (third step). This newer version is much less drying, even the consistency of the lotion is much thinner and runnier than the original.
    This has helped heal my acne and skin congestions tremendously. I love that it’s not as drying as the original forumla. Such a lifesaver.

    Indeed Labs Hydraluron

    Even though the Proactiv Plus Pore Targeting Solution isn’t as drying as the original formula, it can still be a bit drying. Just occasionally though, especially when the weather is really dry. So, my skin has been a bit dry and tight lately, but it’s a combination of hormones and weather too!
    I usually resort to my Chanel Hydra Beauty Serum when I have terribly dry skin, but lately it doesn’t seem to work. So, I was browsing through moisturizers in my local pharmacy a few weeks ago and came across this product. I’ve heard a lot of hype about this product, so I thought I’d give this a try and my oh my, I’m obsessed!
    This hydrating serum has a gel consistency that is very tacky once applied on the skin, kind of weird at first but I got used to it after a while. It’s not supposed to replace moisturizer, it’s just a hydration “booster” for the skin. Ever since I’ve been using this (day and night), my skin has felt so much plumper and less tight/dry.

    Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate

    However, I’ve also been adding this gem to my routine. So the credit goes both to the Hydraluron and to the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate.
    I love mixing this with my moisturizer. The current one I’m using is the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream and it’s been working wonders for my skin. My skin has never felt so smooth and problem-free!

    Santa’s Lip Scrub

    My skin isn’t the only thing that’s been really dry. My lips have been too!
    It’s been peeling a lot and this lip scrub has been my lip’s lifesaver!
    I love that it smells like Cherry Cola and when washed off, the taste and smell still lingers!
    Smooth skin. Smooth lips. Life is good!
    So what have you guys been loving this month?
    Were there anything from my favorites that you’ve tried? If so, let me know what your thoughts are!
    See you in my next post! XO
    Haircare, Makeup, Skincare

    What’s In My Hospital Bag?

    Believe it or not I’ve been hospitalized THREE times over the past two months. The only planned one was for my son’s birth, which was three weeks ago. I recently (i.e. last week) just returned home from my latest (and hopefully last) hospital stay and it was for a silly gastroenteritis. Hope I’d be able to stay away from the hospital for good!
    Anyways, I thought I’d show you how I pack for my hospital stays since I’m probably a hospitalisation connoisseur by now haha. And it’s not too different from how I pack for when I travel.
    I basically separate my beauty essentials into three small cosmetic bags: makeup, shower, and skincare (incl. bedside essentials).

    Read on to see how I minimally packed all my beauty goodies!

    You might find this particularly useful if you’re expecting! <3 😉

    Makeup

    Be realistic when packing your makeup, especially for hospital stays. You’re not going to be in the mood to have a full face of makeup when you’re unwell and tired, so be careful not to overpack. But you still need to put a little put together, so make sure you bring all your essentials.

    I put all my makeup in a small zip-up Too Faced Teddy Bear Hair Set makeup bag and these are all the makeup I need to achieve a low maintenance, easy peasy makeup look. No brush needed!

    These products look huge but they’re actually very tiny – most of these are mini sized products. The Dr. Jart BB cream is literally the size of my thumb!

    I usually just use the brow pencil and concealer on a daily basis, but when I need to look a bit more put-together (e.g. when someone’s coming over to visit) I can easily apply all these things with my fingers.

    Products are (in order of how I use them):

    • Benefit Porefessional
    • Dr. Jart BB Water Fuse
    • Cle de Peau Concealer
    • Josie Maran Cheek Gelee
    • Benefit High Beam
    • Chanel Powder Compact
    • Kevyn Aucoin Eyebrow Pencil 
    • LORAC Pocket Pro
    • Kat Von D Tattoo Liner
    • Tarte Camera, Lights, Lashes Mascara
    • NEST Midnight Fleur Perfume

    Skincare & Bedside Essentials


    When packing for labor, the midwives would usually advise you to bring two different hospital bags: a labor bag and your actual hospital bag where you put the rest of your stuff. 
    Your labor bag should be a smaller bag and should include everything you need during and shortly after labor, and since I had a cesarean, I wasn’t allowed (and couldn’t anyway) step out of bed until the morning after – so everything I needed had to be within my reach. I even had to wash my face in bed!

    So I packed my skincare and everything else I would need by my bedside in a two-sided Soap & Glory Makeup Bag. One side has all my skincare, and the other has everything else I might need.

    To make it easier for me to wash my face in bed on my first night, I made sure I had my tiny Bioderma and a Murad cleansing wipe as I won’t be able to wash my face in the sink. The Murad  Clarifying Wipes is a lifesaver! It’s sort of like a makeup removing wipe, but is filled with active ingredients to combat acne. So even though I won’t be able to wash my face as usual, I can rest assured that my skin is well-protected from any unwanted flare-ups.

    Other skincare essentials I had are:

    • La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo to ensure my acne remains at bay
    • Chanel Hydra Beauty Serum for extra hydration as hospitals (and hotels) can be very drying
    • First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream to moisturize not just the face but the hands and the rest of the body
    • Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF 50 because even though you’ll be indoors, the sun will still shine through the windows right? 😉
    • Benefit It’s Potent Eye Cream – any eye cream would do, I opted for this one because it’s a mini sized eye cream.
    • I also have some sachets of face masks, just in case.
    The other side contains other stuff I might need – and these are all in travel sizes. Here’s what I have:

    • Rexona Deodorant Spray – no brainer, right?
    • Basq Body Boost Stretch Mark Butter because those ugly stretch marks need to go STAT!
    • Oral-B Glide Floss because I swear by flossing!
    • Bath & Body Works Pink Chiffon Body Lotion – because even though I can use the FAB Ultra Repair Cream for my body, I sometimes want a lotion that smells nice! Hehe.
    • Pure Paw Paw Ointment for almost everything. Seriously. Chapped lips, sore nipples (from breastfeeding), dry & cracked skin, etc. I even use this on my baby’s dry, cracked skin – mostly on his feet and arms.
    • A sachet of nipple balm, which I never ended up using coz I kept using the Paw Paw! 🙂
    • La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water for an extra boost of hydration.
    • Acuvue TruEye daily lenses – I’m short sighted and hate wearing glasses so I swear by these!
    • A hair tie, of course.

    Shower

    And lastly, my shower must-haves!

    These are also travel-sized goodies that would fit in the palm of my hands.

    I put all my shower essentials in a bag I got from the EVA NYC Get Up And Go Hair Care Travel Kit below, and it’s perfect for shower essentials because it’s plastic and won’t soak from wet products.

    Stuff I have in here are:

    • EVA NYC Clean It Up Shampoo & Soften Up Conditioner – these seriously smell so nice!
    • LUSH Snow Fairy Shower Gel, my favorite shower gel of all time!
    • First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser – not my daily cleanser but opted to bring this because it’s travel sized and I can’t be bothered to put my daily cleanser in a separate travel bottle. LOL. And this cleanser is a very basic cleanser so it won’t irritate my skin or cause break outs.
    • Venus Snap – my latest beauty obsession!!! So tiny and easy to bring when travelling.
    • St. Ives Apricot Scrub just in case I need a face scrub, you’ll never know! 
    • Summer’s Eve Feminine Wash – this is a must-have, especially after you’ve given birth (cesarean births only, of course). Gotta keep that area clean! 🙂
    So I hope you enjoyed having a peek into my hospital bag! If you’re wondering where my hairstyling stuff are, I actually didn’t bring any! My hair is very low maintenance, fortunately, so I don’t really need to bring anything for my hair. However, when travelling for long periods of time I would absolutely bring my dry shampoo and hair oil! 🙂
    Would love to see what you all have in your travel/hospital bags, so do share with me!
    Have a great week, loves! XO <3
    Skincare

    Review: Klarity™ Lasertox CC Miracle White Lotion SPF 30/PA++

    New obsession alert!

    I’ve only been using this for a little over a week, and I’m seriously in love.

    Luxola did send me this product to be reviewed, but I genuinely love this product. I know people are generally skeptical of “sponsored reviews” so it’s up to you to believe me or not. 🙂

    I was actually sent two products, but the other one did not work for me so I won’t be reviewing that one. But I’m so glad this one worked so well for me, it’s become one of my staples in skincare and makeup, and I just feel like I have to share how beautiful this product is to you all!

    So, what is this product?

    The Klarity™ Lasertox CC Miracle White Lotion SPF 30 PA++ is a non-colorant/non-tinted CC cream – the first one of its kind! It not only protects the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, it also prevents aging, dark spots, and a number of other skin issues.

    This product is:

    • Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores!)
    • Paraben free
    • Waterproof
    • Suitable for face and body
    • Halal certified
    • Not tested on animals
    • Made in Korea

    Read on to see my thoughts and demos on this product.

    Disclaimer: This product was sent for review, however all opinions expressed are unbiased and are of my own. No commissions are received from purchases based on this review or from the discount code provided.

    Ingredients

    OK, first off – ingredients. You can skip this part if you’re not fussy about ingredients. Bottom line is – all of them were ranked Good to Best on Paula’s Choice. None of them were ranked Average or below, which is fantastic!

    So, no need to worry!

    But if you’re a curious bug, here’s a breakdown of the ingredients for you.

    Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane & Dimethicone: These are different types of emollients & silicones and are rated “Good” on Paula’s Choice. These are needed in lotions because they give the product a “great deal of slip” and is a water binding agent that holds up well, even when the skin becomes wet.

    Research also found that silicone does not clog pores, worse acne, or “suffocate” the skin. Most of these claims are myths or were based on anecdotal evidence. If you’d like to read more about silicones and its safety for the skin, click here.

    Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol & Butylene: Glycerin is probably the best humectant out there and is a fundamental cornerstone of most moisturizers, as most of us know. It basically attracts water from other sources and stores it on the surface layers of the skin. This substance is considered very safe because they naturally exist in the skin anyway. They’re known to prevent dryness or scaling, and helps maintain the outer barrier of the skin.
    Niacinamide: Niacinamide is also known as Vitamin B3 and nicotinic acid, and is rated as one of the best antioxidant/vitamin/anti-irritant/cell-communicating ingredients. So long as the skin is protected from the sun, this substance is known to improve the skin’s elasticity, enhance its barrier functions, erase discolorations, and revive its tone and texture.

    This substance is recently gaining more popularity for its abilities to treat uneven skin tone, mitigate acne and red marks, and helping with wrinkles and breakouts in general.

    Titanium Dioxide: This substance is known to be the best and safest sunscreen ingredient for all skin types – it is the least irritating of its kind. It’s famous for being gentle, that it is highly recommended for people with sensitive or rosacea-affected skin. It’s even safe for use around the eye area.

    If you have acne or clog prone skin, it is preferrable for you to opt for sunscreens with Titanium Dioxide as its active ingredients. 

    Rosa Canina Fruit Extract: Also known as Wild Rose Hips, this fruit extract is one of the spotlight ingredients of this product. It is a rich, natural source of Vitamin C and lycopene, and has high antioxidant properties, thus preventing cell damage from free radicals.

    It is known to lighten hyperpigmentation, hydrate the skin, and has anti-aging benefits as well. It is even known to reduce stretch marks when used on the body!

    Centella Asiatica Extract: Ranked as one of the best herb extracts, it has antibacterial, anti-psoriatic, and wound-healing properties.
    Sodium Chloride: Known as a good scrub agent, this is primarily used as a binding agent in skincare products.

    Phenoxyethanol: This is just a natural preservative substance and is rated good. It is in fact one of the least irritating of its kind.
    Aluminum Hydroxide: A good synthetic emulsifier that serves as an opacifying agent and skin protectant, and poses no danger to the skin. 
    Triethoxycaprylylsilane: Also a silicone ingredient and ranked good.
    Chlorphenesin: A very safe type of alcohol used as a preservative in cosmetics.
    Fragrance: I wish they’d specify what fragrance they use for this product. Some fragrances can be irritating, but some fragrances like pumpkin extract, lauric acid and rose extracts are considered the safest. Good thing this is the third last ingredient listed, meaning there’s not much of it in the product. Hopefully it’s rose extract (which I think is possible because this product already contains wild rose hips) because rose extract is very safe. The fact that this is the third last ingredient also indicates that there’s only a tiny amount of it, which is always good.
    Disodium Edta: This is a good stabilizer used in cosmetics to prevent ingredients from binding with elements that can exist in water or other ingredients that will cause the product to change in texture, odor and consistency.
    Diamond Powder: Aside from Wild Rose Hips, Diamond Powder is one of the ingredients in the spotlight for this product. It nourishes and refines skin texture, and immediately illuminates and adds glow to skin. This is the ingredient that gives the skin that instant brightening effect and it is the last ingredient listed because there shouldn’t be too much of it in a product. Too much of this substance can be abrasive on the skin, so it’s a good thing that it’s the last ingredient listed!

    Packaging

    The packaging is seriously GORGEOUS!!! I love how tough and sturdy, but light, the packaging is. I’m also in love with the holographic surface of the tube.

    Texture

    The texture is very light, not at all rich or creamy, almost watery when warmed up. It also has a pleasant smell which wears off quickly.
    It definitely doesn’t leave a sticky or greasy feeling on the skin, absorbs very quickly. After a few minutes kind of feel “powdery” sometimes, but this actually helps control oil – people with oily skin would love this effect! Drier skin types would need to moisturize before using this.

    Application & Demo

    After reading a few other reviews on this product, I notice that some people find the product to leave a white cast on the skin. I personally found this problem when I first swatched it on my hand, but I ultimately found a great way to apply this product without making it leave a white cast. Trick is not to slather the product on the skin and massage it in like you would with a conventional moisturizer.

    A pea sized amount is enough for the whole face, a bit more if you want to apply on the neck too.

    The first way I’d use this is by dotting the lotion on five points of my face (forehead, nose tip, chin, and cheeks) and instead of massaging it straight away into the skin, I spread the product by patting it all over the skin. Once I pat it all over, I slowly start to massage it in. So basically, avoid massaging a thick layer of the product – you’re better off massaging it in thin layers.



    Sorry for the angry face on the far right image, I had an itch on my nose while I was patting this all over the skin and couldn’t scratch my nose. Not being able to scratch when you’re itching is probably one of the worst things ever. UGH! LOL.

    Another way is to warm the lotion between the fingers like so.

    Then pat this all over the skin. After patting it in, slowly massage any unevenness in. I can assure you I had zero white cast, and my skin is actually considered pretty dark in oriental Asian standards, but I had no problem with the lotion looking “too white” for me.

    Also, some people complain about the texture of this not being smooth and easy to blend, but I personally find it quite easy if you apply it this way.

    I tried taking before and after pics but they’re really bad – can’t really tell the difference although in real life the difference is actually visible. LOL. Bad photog skills. Need to learn how to take proper before & after pics in proper lighting. Sorry I’m still not an expert in photography. Hehe.

    But do check out Katelyn Tan’s before and after pictures here! She captured them so well.

    Performance

    I’m generally very happy with this product, I love how I won’t have to wear face makeup to make my skin look brighter. 
    My skin usually gets clogged pretty easily, and I can usually tell if a product clogs my pores after a whole day of using it because at the end of the day I usually get tiny bumps around my nose area – my most clog-prone area! But with this product, I’ve never had any clogging issue, let alone acne, so I’m beyond happy.

    Since I’ve only used this for over a week, I can’t testify about its long term skin whitening or repairing effects, but even without those long term effects I would still use this product coz it’s such a wonderful brightening (not whitening) sunscreen.

    I also love the subtle scent that it has. It goes away almost immediately but applying this on the skin feels so nice because of its lovely scent too. It definitely does not smell like a sunscreen typically would!

    11-in-1 Multifunctions

    I will now be reviewing its performance based on its 11-in-1 claims.
    1. Whitening: This does have an instant brightening effect – if applied thicker will make the skin look fairer. But as for the long term whitening effects, I still don’t know!
    2. Purify: Honestly have no idea! LOL. Sorry!
    3. Repair: Again, this can only be seen after a while, maybe in a few months’ time I’d be able to testify. However, the instant brightening effect does lighten some of my hyperpigmentations immediately.
    4. Firming: My skin definitely felt firmer, but not in the dry and tight-skin kind of way.
    5. Smooth: Skin definitely feels smoother – like a smooth canvas, when applied properly of course. Great as a makeup base, and even on its own.
    6. Soothe: Does feel soothing on the skin and calms any irritations/redness. I have a lot of redness around my nose area and this was immediately soothed and pretty moisturized.
    7. Hydrate: The one thing that this product is lacking is moisture and hydration, it’s definitely not enough for people with dry skin. But maybe because it’s created by a Singaporean company, it’s probably targeted for people living in hot and humid climates like Singapore. Too much hydration and moisture in a product will make the skin oily, no?
    8. Tone: Can only be seen long-term but again, this has immediately lightened the look of my hyperpigmentations, not necessarily diminishing it for good though.
    9. Anti-Aging: This, again, has to be tested for a longer period of time. I honestly ignore all “anti-aging” claims that any products claim to deliver.
    10. Sunscreen: My skin is very sensitive to the sun and without proper sun protection, my skin will tingle and burn easily. So whenever I am exposed to the sun and my skin does not have any reactions, I know that the sun protection is sufficient. I can honestly confirm that this product certainly has sufficient sun protection.
    11. Waterproof: As with all other waterproof sunscreens, it’s very difficult to test because they’re not tinted, unlike foundations and tinted moisturizers. 

    Compared to my previous sunscreens

    Before using this Klarity sunscreen, I’ve religiously been using my NIVEA Sun Protect Water Gel or Biore Water Essence sunscreens on top of my lightweight day moisturizer (Origins Ginzing) or the Avene Hydrance Optimale for days when I needed the moisture the NIVEA and Biore couldn’t provide.
    I have sworn by Japanese water-based, gel-textured sunscreens for years and never thought I would use any other sunscreens, but in recent years when my skin has become so much drier I needed something with more moisture, which was why I had to use the Avene Hydrance Optimale on days when my skin needed more moisture, but I’m not at all obsessed with the Avene. Although much more moisturizing than the Klarity, it certainly has a much greasier finish and takes longer to be absorbed into the skin.

    Compared to the Japanese water based sunscreens, the Klarity is of course thicker and less “wet”, but I love it because of its instant brightening effect and possibility of long term good results, while the Japanese sunscreens only have a sun protection function. You certainly get more with the Klarity and its finish is just as smooth.

    Price

    This product can be purchased through Luxola here and retails for A$26.10 (30 ml) and A$44.10 (100 ml). You can get it for 20% off if this is your first purchase at Luxola by using the code LX-STEPH at checkout – this discount code applies storewide!
    As of today, it’s currently sold out (which means it’s such a good product!) but they should have it restocked soon. I personally will be purchasing the 30 ml size!

    Overall

    Rating: 4.5/5

    This product will be perfect if it can provide a bit more moisture and hydration throughout the day. So, half a point off for being a bit dry. Although if you live in a hot, humid climate and/or you have oily skin you would totally benefit from this!

    But I’d still use this product everyday because of its skincare benefits and because I love its instant brightening effect. Good thing my moisturizer doesn’t ball up when I put this on top! If you’re going to moisturize before using this, make sure your moisturizer has been properly absorbed into the skin and is not greasy on the surface.

    Luxola generously sent me the 100 ml bottle, which of course I’m thrilled about – but since I will be travelling this Christmas, I’m actually going to purchase the 30 ml coz it’ll be easier to travel with!
    I honestly highly recommend this product, especially for people living in hot and humid countries – even without all its anti aging and repairing claims. The fact that it instantly brightens, provides waterproof sun protection, provides a great base for makeup (even looks great on its own) and smells so nice is enough to make me repurchase! I hope I can see great long-term results with this!

    You can purchase this product here on Luxola. As I said before, although they’re currently sold out they should have it restocked soon. 🙂 Don’t forget that if this is your first purchase at Luxola, you can use the code LX-STEPH to get 20% off STOREWIDE!

    If you decide to get this beauty, I do hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

    Disclaimer: This product was sent for review, however all opinions expressed are unbiased and are of my own. No commissions are received from purchases based on this review or from the discount code provided.
    Skincare

    Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm Anti-Ageing Review

    There’s a newbie in my current skincare routine – the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm.

    If you’ve been following me for a while you’d probably know I can’t live without my Evelom Cleansing Balm (reviewed here), but I’m glad I’m able to finally try the Elemis.

    I’m now torn between the two – both are so freaking amazing, but the Elemis has been highly praised, even more than the Evelom, because of its safer and much more environmentally friendly ingredients, better scent (ooh yeah!) and cheaper price (although still considered expensive).

    Read on to read my in-depth review and makeup removal demonstration pictorials.

    Disclaimer: These products were generously provided for consideration, however all opinions expressed are unbiased and of my own. No monetary payment was received for this review. Post may contain affiliate links.

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