Belated Favourites of 2011

Although it is slightly late, I still have to entry this blog entry, as seems a year didn't complete perfectly without the list of my favourites of the year. And therefore, here they are:

Cleanser
As I made my own herbal infused olive oil to remove my makeup, there is no specific cleanser that I really have to mention, well, other than Origins Modern Fiction, I think.

Toner
To me, toner is just a basic form of moisturising water, so as long as they are not concentrated with alcohol, cheap toner will do for me, as I have used high end toner as well as those flower hydrolat, there is not much significant difference for me....

Skincare

Clockwise from the front:

• The Body Shop Lip Butter - i love them so much that i have purchased the whole collection. It's smoothing and i love the buttery texture.
• DHC Lash Tonic - since i realised that my lashes were falling off, i grabbed this quickly and started using it since. There was a noticable growth, but somehow it could irriate my eyes sometimes. 
• Za True White Sunscreen - as most of the sunscreen can irriate my skin, this is one of the rare one that won't and that it is not expensive
• Gariner Eye Roll - love the rolling ball and it's my 2nd one already, though i have already decided to get something else once this is done.
• Olay Total Effect Touch of Foundation - this is my quick touch up if I am just going to the veg market or around the corner to local shops, as seems nowadays, i cant leave the house without any foundation and this is one of the best way for a quick touch up.
• L'oreal Youth Code Serum - it has been a great hit on the net last year and that I have enjoyed the effect of the serum, which the only fatal fault is that i felt that my skin could be burn very easily after using this serum, so if your skin can be tanned as easily as mine does, then remember to put on extra layer of sunscreen after you use this serum at night.

Perfume

Clockwise from the front:

• L'occitane Cherie Solid Perfume - i have a newly found obsession of solid perfume, for which i have already collected 4 extra and for that this is my favourite as i love the smell of orange blossom.
• L'eau Par Kenzo por homme EDT - i love most of the perfume by Kenzo and that the person who gave this perfume to me is sort of part of the reason that i love it. However, the main reason that i like this as i love the scent that japanese combined. i love the citrus smell of yuzu, as well as the use of rosewood. 
• L'occitane The Vert Green Tea Solid Perfume - i used to use Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea EDT, but this scent of green tea is better than that and that i love stronger scent perfume.
• The Body Shop Moroccan Rose EDT - i think every woman should have a bottle of rose based perfume and that for this one, it is not strongly scent, which is the exception for me as i normally like strong perfume. This soft fragrant of rose is suitable for young girls or people like me, who much perfer a unisex or men's perfume.
• The Body Shop Dreams Unlimited EDP - i love the combination of cedarwood and white flower, which are the key essential scent. i love the musky scent, and that i love the shape of the bottle. 
• L'occitane Calanques EDT - this is similar to Dreams Unlimited, but this is more mediterranen style, a more subtle and soft smell, which remind me of the mediterranen sea.

Base/ Foundation

Clockwise from the front:

• Cargo OneBase Concealer + Foundation In One 01 - this is my most frequent use concealer, and that i sometimes use it as a foundation when i was travelling. it is light weighted and that it is not too pink toned.
• e.l.f. Tinted Moisturiser SPF 20 Procelain - i love this tinted moisturiser as the colour fitted my skin well, and it is yellow based rather than pink based. also this is really cheap, its only £3.50 for 25ml!
• Bourjois 10 hour sleep effect foundation - as titled, it is so light-weighted that i have been complimented when i was wearing this foundation, most people, even ladies thought it was my bare skin! so impressed by it to the fact that i have purchased a second bottle already!!
• Za Skin Beauty 2 Way Foundation - this is my favourite compact, though it's slightly darker to my taste, as in hk, they did not have the lightest shade, which is shade 20. Nonetheless, i love the formula that it's alright to have a slightly darker face.
• e.l.f. Mineral Booster, Sheer - i love this powder very much, as with Bourjois 10 hours sleep effect foundation, they were so light weighted to the fact that people thought i was wearing no foundation, while they actually covered my faults. also this powder gives a subtle, soft matt finish. 

T.B.C.

May Favourites

Thsee are my favourites for this month:

• Bobbi Brown lip liner in beige
• Cargo Supereyes masacara 
• LSY flower kabuki, which is last month favourite
• Muji blush Orange 01
• Ruby & Millie brow colour blonde
• TBS Dreams Unlimited EDP
• Gosh angled brush
• Crown eyeshadow? brush
• Olay total effect touch of foundation - the price of this increase by 25% for these 3 months, it is rather annoying... = =
• Bourjois  10 hour sleep effect foundation 71 abricote clair, which is also last month favourite
• e.l.f. complexion perfection

x kyanvi x

This week shopping

Actually I have bought more than these this week, but the only reason I put this up as I just read lots of reviews on the L'oreal Youth Code recently, and I just suddenly keen to try this out later!

Also, I have just realised that Boots tend to overcharge these days, as for the Olay Total Effect Tinted Moisturiser, at my local Superdrug, it is only £12.99, while at Boots, it is £17.99. And for the Youth Code, it is only £14.99 in Superdrugs while it is £24.99 in Boots. Also, although both stores are doing 3 for 2 on skincare at the moment, there' more reason to shop in Superdurg as if you completed the feedback survey which is at the back of the voucher, then you will save 10% or 25%. Therefore, for all these 3, I have only paid £24.xx, so only £8+ each! Isnt this wonderful!!!

So what do you think??

x Kyanvi x

Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Night Firming Moisturiser

Finally got time to update, apologise for the long delay. Received a 15ml sample ages ago, finally I managed to use it up, so want to write this review up before I forgot.

Copied from Olay official website, it claims to do the following:

"Minimises lines: Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Nourishing Moisturisation: For a Radiant Healthy Glow
Tone Enhancement: Balances colour & visibly reduces appearance of age spots
Gentle Exfoliation: Smoothes and evens skin texture
Pore Refinement: Minimises the appearance of pores
With Anti Oxidants: Helps prevent free radical damage to the skin's surface layers
Subtle firming: Hydrates for firmer skin appearance."

Personally didn't notice any special improvement on lines and pore, but it really does moisturising and evens my skin. It can be absorb quickly and not greasy at all. Probably fragrance as it has the usual 'olay smell' that also appears in other olay products. (though perfectly alright for my sensitive skin as I used it when my skin was irritated).

Conclusion

I don't think I will buy this at the moment as my skin is still relatively young, I hope, though smoking is really a skin killer. Sigh. Also, I found the price is bit expensive, as I am still trying to maintain the budget on facial products within £10.

Price @ £14.99 available in supermarkets, Boots & Superdrug

Mark

70/100

K.

[N.B. this is a free sample]

• 
  

Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Radiance Enhancing Cream Wash

I got this randomly by using Boots £5 off voucher. For me, Olay is not the brand that I love, but I know their products are realiable in a small price. As some people may have remembered, few years ago, there was a trial carried out in the State. The scientist behind that trial have found out that Olay Total Effect, I think, or its other skincare line, beaten other expensive brand on their anti-wrikle effects. Therefore, I always believe that it is a good brand though I am not a fan of it.

Anyway, the reason that I want to review this as I found it suprisingly good. Normally, after using any cleansing products, I need to put face cream on as my skin is so dry and tighten. But for this one, I do not need to apply face cream. even though it is a bad habit for skin. But I still manage to go to sleep and wake up in a good skin condition. (Of coz my skin is kinda dry compare with my normal skin)

According to Olay's website, it can remove makeup as well, maybe I should try someday. Also here's what it suppose to do:

OLAY total effects Radiance Enhancing Cream Wash with exfoliating micro-beads gives you 7-in-1 anti ageing effects for younger, more radiant skin.

• Gently exfoliates to improve skin softness.
• Improves light reflection from the skin surface
• Improves skin smoothness
• Enhances hydration to improve skin elasticity
• Polishes away dry surface skin cells
• Gently removes makeup and everyday impurities
• Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines

[Copied from http://www.olay.co.uk/product-range/total-effects/totaleffects_radiance_enhancing_cream_wash.php]

But I have tested out, it can't even remove a simple Kohl pencil line, so just beware and don't rely on that.

Conclusion

Will I buy this again?
Well, actually, I have already bought a 2nd bottle after I have used this for a week, as for 86p, this is totally a star!

Score
80/100

K.

p.s. Just have a relax weekend at my friend's house... seems everyone need to recharge sometime. Take a break when you need it!

My Foundation Collection

Quick reminder

Ladies who have No 7 £5 off voucher remember to use it asap

as it is going to expired on the 31st Jan

only a few days left!!!!

(N.B. the Olay & No7 tinted moiustusers are not suitted for me, so maybe I should save them for give away =.=///)

From left - right (Bottles):

e.l.f. All Over Cover Stick - Toffee - for shading, it is cheap and easy to blend

No 7 Essential Moisture Foundation in Buff - my 2nd favourite and the colour suit me most

Olay Tinted Moisturiser in Medium - not used & plan to give away, why it is in the photo in the 1st place??!!

No 7 Stay Perfect Foundation in Blond - the texture is excellent, but the colour is not that suited for me

Natural Collection Tinted Moisturiser in Fair - cheap for daily use

Max Factor Seamless Foundation in Porcelain - used for blend with foundation that is too dark as this is very pale with pink undertone

Rimmel Long Lasting 16hr Foundation in Soft Beige - another accident where I bought foundation that is too dark for me... (probably another give away as I bought 2 online =.=///)

No 7 Tinted Moisturiser in Medium - again, not used & plan to give away, why it is in the photo in the 1st place??!!

3 Samples from Estee Lauder - Double Wear Light, Individualist, Nutritious Vita- Mineral

From left - right (compact/ jar):

Rimmel Cool Matte Foundation in Ivory - this is my new favouirte at the mo, once i realise some of my old foundation are bit too dark for me

e.l.f. Mineral Foundation in Light - the coverage is very soft, compare with Everyday Mineral/ Joppa Mineral, this is not as excellent as the others.

Lancome Mini Compact, which I forgot which one that is @.@ - but this is quite good

The Body Shop Flawless Skin Protecting Foundation 02 - got this when there's a special combo offer online for £15 included a foundation brush, it is so-so, and its bit dry for me =.=/// though the compact case is very nice, the cover can be used as a mirror too

Shiseido Sun Protection Compact - i love this one very much, it works very well when i was in hk. Although this is only a sample size, can last me for the summer, for reapply outside.

I got extra ones other than these, but 2 Dior compacts are too old and I think I should throw them away. But the old packagings are really nice @.@

Also, there's another compact that I bought from Jusco $10 Shop in HK. But I just realise that it has broken into piece, which I did't even know when that happened...

Olay Pore Refining Mouse Cleanser

I think lots of bloggers who live in UK will pop to poundland, 99p shop or other pound shop for a bargain hunt sometimes. As I saw this on a forum last week, I pop into the local poundland and look for this... Although that particular lady did not enjoy this product much as she said this product was not effective on her, I actually think there's no harm if I give it a try. Only a pound, nothing lose. (besides, I checked online, it costs USD$8 to get this in the states, so finally there's something cheaper here~)

The reason that I recommenced ladies to buy this and try is that I love the texture of the mousse. Normally, i use those toothpaste shaped bottle cleaners, it wont give me a foam textures, (unless I use those 'foam-forming' net that I saw some Asian ladies used online).

As a pore refining cleansers, I don't think it works as good as Origin's Modern Friction or Biore Pore Refining Cleasner. But, as a daily cleanser, it works brilliantly. My pores are more refining (compare with my daily olay cleanser) after I used this 3days in a row and my black heads are more 'shown up' after I came out from the shower. Furthermore, my skin wasn't too tight right after cleansing it, I can still stand for an hour before applying toners and creams.

The only 1 problem is that as it is in an aerosol can, I have no idea how long this will last. So I cannot really estimate how worthy this product is. ( But, I have already use more than 10times, so not that $$, yea?)

Conclusion

Worth to try, at least it is different from old toothpaste tube cleaners. Also, its by Olay, one of the brand that I really think worth the money, so if you see it at the price around £1, grab it home, why not?

Score 70/100

K.

p.s. there's a green version, I think its a moisturizing version, or something like that @.@

Summary of the products that I like for 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I was planning to write my last piece of review right before the end of 2009, but then, i was distracted and was watching Black Bulter (黒執事), so didn't have time to type up @.@ I either stayed at home or went out shopping right after new year, so didn't have time to surf online too.

Here's the top 10 products, both skincare and makeup that I love most

(N.B. not in a particular order)

1. e.l.f. Studio Bronzer - Cool

I always looking for a palette that can do shape and sculpt together at the same time...But there aren't many option available from Boots/ Superdrugs. The most famous one is the M.A.C. Sculpt & Shape Duo like the one below

But then, I found it rather expensive... So I use this as an example and found an other alternative.

For £3.50, this e.l.f. bronzer is really good for this purpose... (which I will type a review if I had the time...sigh~)

2. Everyday Mineral Angled Brush 

For USD$ 8, this is the best brush that I have and it is perfect for mineral makeup. Sadly, this is not available on everyminerals.com... if I know this earlier, I will at least buy 2-3 more...sigh~ so I have to take extra care to keep it well....

3. e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip - Spotlight

see more details on my recent post -> Click Here

4. Estee Lauder Double Wear Mascara

I prefer Lancome's  or Primark's mascara more before, and I didn't like Estee Lauder's mascara before as I have a bad experience... But then, after I used this. It is perfect, it lasted and extended my lashes well. Also, one more good point, it is easy to brush on without clotting my eye lashes.

5. e.l.f. Mini Makeup Collection

see more details on my recent post -> Click Here

6. Avon Care Rich Moisture Glycerine Hand Cream

see more details on my recent post ->Click Here

7. Homemade Lavender, Rose Face Cream

see more details on my recent post ->Click Here

8. Olay Total Effects Radiance Enhance Cream Wash

This is my favourite cleanser at the moment, as it is cheap and effective. It removed excess oil and dust gently without giving the skin a hard time. It is good for everyday use.

9.  Garnier Eye Roll On

I have already bought a spare new one even though I haven't finish the old one yet... But there's 1 annoying point though... I just saw online Boots.com, there will be a new caffeine roll on which is used for dark circle.... i cant wait !!!!!!!!

10.  Botanics Organic Rosewater Toner

There's a few more things I want to put in this summary... But then... since I have already chosen a face cream, so I think I should put a toner here instead...

Kyanvi

Care for Dry Skin in Winter I - Home Made Rose, Lavender Cream

Q: What is little pot about?

A: For my poor skin as the old dry, irritant problem has come back and revisited me again.

Basically, my skin is very sensitive and once it is irritated, rashes/ pimple type thing will just all over my cheek and chin area. So I have tired a few products that seem help to smooth the situation, which I will write up when I have K.O. my management readings.

I always forgot to carry my lotions as I don't normally bring a handbag out, so I actually found 2 good products from Boots accidentally when I decided I need some lotion on and can't wait till back home.

This is the recent luck.

Ingredients

Boots Traditional Skin Care Moisturising Cream (£3.xx for 200ml)

Aromantic Organic Lavender Water (around £2 for 100ml)

The Body Shop Rose Essential Oil (diluted in base oil)

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil

A small, clean cosmetic jar (50p each from Aromantic)

A clean spoon/ specula

Note

Lavender water can be any other brand or even replace with lavender essential oil. This is also apply to the Rose Oil, any rose oil can be used.

The amount of essential oils should be adjusted accordingly. I used 2 drops of Tea Tree, 14 drops of Rose and 20 drops of Lavender Water for a 15ml portion.

The reason that I add 2 drops of Tea Tree oil as it has an antifungal properties and use for skin infections. I always concern that my old skin problem isn't just skin irritant but other infections, so just add Tee Tree oil in case there's anything. (Although I did see a GP once and he said it wasn't any infections, only skin irritant by sunscreen lotion @.@)

According to the book Recipes for Natural Beauty by Neal's Yard Remedies, essential oils for dry and sensitive skin are rose and chamomile. That's why I use rose as I got the one with base oil, so it wont be too concentrate for my skin, as this is the 1st time I mix this.

Health advise

If the problem last for more than a week and no sign of healing, please seek proper medical help.

Do try this mixture at the inner end of the arm incase of skin irritant.

Also, most importantly, this is just my personal mixture, it may not suit you.

At last

What the texture of this traditional moisturising cream like?

Like those old, thick cream that probably your parents put on your skin when you were young. It's kinda like Baby cream/butter and it reminds me of the famous Japanese ointment, Oronine H Ointment (娥羅納英).

It claims to contain Vitamin A, E & Pro- Vitamin B5, which are the essentials for skin. Also, when I was tying this, I read the label more carefully and it said there's total Vitamin E content 6000mg for 200ml. That's a lot to me...

Although there will not be a lot of Glycerin as it is at the 2nd line on the ingredient list, I found it much nicer than those products suppose to be hydrated. This is because, in England, it's very easy to loss the moisture from the skin due to the heaters, therefore it is much ideal for me to 'seal up' my skin by using a layer of thin oil.

One last tip

I put Vaseline on my face before I go into the shower and wash my hair. This is because Vaseline acts as a protective barrier, it traps the moisture on my skin and the hot water won't able to remove the moisture and oil from my skin. But do have to wash it off with cleanser as I found it quite dirty to keep it on. (p.s. the current cleanser I am using at the moment is that Olay Total Effect Radiance Enhance Cream Wash (£5.86 for 150ml at Boots) which is quite good as it won't 'leave' my skin dry)

Sorry for dragging on, I am too 'talkative' and hope this helps.

Kyanvi

p.s. Boots Traditional Skin Care Moisturising Cream
Score 75/100
(deduct point as it is quite thick, I won't use it daily unless my skin is really dry)