Product Review : ShiroMomo Hada Whitening Water

Hello hello people!!! Before I head off to my event later on today, I shall blog :D I have to admit, I've been a really slackish blogger these days. But I've been losing weight hardworking-ly. I'll share it with you guys next time so no one needs to get cheated again =3

Remember the ShiroMomo Hada Whitening Mist I reviewed awhile ago? I know that there're some of you out there don't really like mists, so here you go, a real toner!

So if you don't like mist, you'll be glad to know they have this ShiroMomo Hada Whitening Water for you to try!

This toner's a clear runny liquid that is almost similar to the Hada Labo one. Actually, I find this to be a cousin of the Hada Labo one... The texture is similar, the effect is similar, except that the Hada Labo one is unscented. However as mentioned previously, I'm a fan of peaches.

I'm not someone who's really sensitive or allergic to scents so to me, it's like a refreshing burst of peaches each time I use it. This toner absorbs quickly too.

Leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth, just like the mist, but slightly more moisturizing. Mist haters, get the toner instead! I use this like how I use Hada Labo. Three drops, then pat pat pat till it all absorbs. Alternatively, you can purchase compressed masks from SASA and use this toner like a mask!

Do note that if used that way, it takes a longer time to absorb fully into the skin. I've described more about the ShiroMomo Hada series before, so check the ShiroMomo Hada Whitening Mist review if you've forgotten! Also, remember that whitening =/= making you few shades fairer, it simply brightens your skin.

This ShiroMomo Hada Whitening Water is available for $16.90 at BHG outlets if I'm not wrong! Well if I am, you can always head over to their Facebook page to ask them about it~

Effectivenes: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (No whitening, brightening! Slightly less hydrating than Hada Labo but the scent...)

Scent: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (My cuppa tea!)

Texture: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Slightly sticky, but still really easily absorbed)

Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (It's pretty cheap, it works well and it smells good. One of my favorite toners now!)

Love,
Chiharu ❤

Disclaimer : I bought this water for reviewing purposes and because I love peaches!

Product Review : Vichy Thermal Spa Water

A few days ago, I blogged about the Vichy's Spa Water and 80th Anniversary workshop. I recommended ya'all to purchase THIS on Domokie's FB page.

Yes, that's the normal packaging for the Vichy Thermal Spa Water I tried at the workshop. And you all should know this. I used to think that such water spray thingies are like some kinda scam, it's like asking us to pay for a spray with water in it. Before I thought of such water sprays as scams, I bought a few and tested them out. To me, those were just water. I didn't see any effect at all so yes, for the rest of my life, I classified them as plain water.

However, after attending the Vichy workshop and trying it out...

I bought it!!! I bought the limited edition packaging one so it looks different from the first picture. Now the best thing to prove that I love and recommend a product is when I buy it after testing it. This is now my 神奇水, AKA my newly found Miracle water. Before I start babbling more, let's take a look at the usual, ingredients list!

Yea... Once again I recall my previous thinking of the plain water spray thing...

Not just the plain water you can get from your tap ;) I know the difference now, this water actually has heaps of minerals that our skin requires!

This water's actually from a Spring in a town called Vichy. Here's a continuation for the cool facts! Cool fact #3, the Spring from which this water is drawn from has been declared a public health spring in 1846! Vichy is like... A really really ancient and old grandparent. This miracle water is 100% natural of course, from the spring itself and EFFECTIVE at the same time! I myself have seen some strange special effects when using this so I'm about to share it.

This water is what I call, 万能. Super multi-purpose.

Ta-da! So many uses~ But I have one more to show you and that's my absolute favorite!

Also, I will not be telling you what Vichy says because for stats and info, you can ask from the BA working at the counter. Sharing my experience is a different thing.

My favorite way to use this is as a mask. You'll have to get your own compressed mask from SASA though.

There's no before picture but can you believe that this was taken at about 8pm, after 8 hours of work excluding travelling time? I've had my make up on since around 7am in the morning and it's been more than 12 hours. This is what sparked me to get this can of miracle water.

Also, I did not blot my face before taking this picture or prior to using the mask. It ALL magically DISAPPEARED. There was no cakiness, no nothing, except for my blush being somewhat eaten away. My face was super bright too. Catherine saw the difference too, so I swear you have to do it to witness it for yourself.

I did a mini test the next morning, I woke up with a mega greasy face and proceeded to spritz a good amount of this miracle water all over my face. I then waited for about 10-15 seconds before dabbing it off with a tissue. Guess what? I became shine free! I was super amazed so I told Ringo, which was why she suggested drinking this after eating a heavy meal to get rid of the oils. This water is sweet too =) It can be drunk but I don't think you'd wanna spend your money just to drink this. NOT that I intentionally spritz this in my mouth, I accidentally sprayed on too much one day and it trickled into my mouth =/

We were not sponsored the 150ml set, Ringo, Catherine and I bought a set each though. Our actions speak a lot louder than this post. I'm not sure if this limited packaging set is still available but I think the normal one is, so get one from your nearest Vichy counter today :) It is that good! Besides, it costs only 14.90 for two cans of this if I'm not wrong, so why not try it out once?

Effectiveness : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Soothes, brightens, hydrates, miracle!)

Scent: No scent detected.

Texture: Like how your water would feel.

Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (It's cheap, it works, sensitive skin can use it, so why not try it?)

Love,
Chiharu ❤

Disclaimer : I bought the 150ml twin pak myself.

Product Review : Hada Labo Firming + Lifting Lotion

Hello hello! What a terribly warm afternoon it is! I'm camping at home with a cup of very sour self-made lemon tea. I was intending to do a mask review but I realized the deadline for this is earlier!

Oh and before I begin, have you checked out our spree page HERE? We're bringing in for everyone products that aren't easily available in SG and at a way cheaper price too! There's even Hello Kitty!

Okay but let's proceed shall we, before I digress further and spam pictures of Hello Kitty. On an extremely warm afternoon similar to today, the postman came knocking on my door! I didn't see it coming and I was super excited. If the postman wouldn't give it to me I would've robbed it from her xD

I received something from...

The Sample Store!!! I swear I love TSS okay, especially Elfaine because she's just so adorable. Have you met her before? If you have, you're sure to know what I'm talking about! Nono, this post isn't about her though as much as I like her, it's about...

This beautiful red bottle! The Hada Labo Firming + Lifting Lotion. Before I confuse any one, this is not a moisturizer or cream. It's what we more commonly know as a toner. I must admit, I'm a proud owner of their regular Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion and I actually stupidly thought it was a moisturizer before I realized my mistake. The previous one came in a white-ish bottle and I actually like this one more. It's such a rich vibrant shade of red, totally adds life to my messy table.

In the above picture, you can see the 3 key ingredients of this product. For collagen, I don't see a need to explain further! KNOWING WHAT COLLAGEN DOES FOR YOUR SKIN IS A MUST. So please research it yourself to imprint it in your head forever!!!

Now let me move on to the Retinol Vitamin A. I don't really want to throw all sorts of big words at my readers and confuse people, so let me try and summarize it in the simplest way possible. It's basically an ingredient that helps with anti aging and helps in maintaining the health of your skin. And why would our skin respond well to this particular ingredient? It's because the molecular structure of the Retinol Vitamin A is tiny enough to get into the lower layers of skin. So what's below? Collagen and elastin! This particular product is also proven to help with skin texture/tone/color, pigmentation, fine lines, winkles and... Our skin’s hydration level! See how this ingredient is significant now?

This product also contains the ever so familiar Sodium Hyaluronate. What is it? Sodium Hyaluronate, when applied topically, reaches deep into your dermis to combine with and maintain moisture. Quick fact: Sodium Hyaluronate (which has a smaller molecular size than Hyaluronic acid) can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water. Directly copied from Ringo's post HERE.

Enough of the words!

I tried to capture the ingredients list but... Yea, it's not that easy to do on such a surface. But all yer sensitive babes have nothing to fear! This product is FOUR FREE. Wtbbq is four free?! Okay, I don't mean that as for free, it's really four free. Fragrance free, mineral oil free, alcohol free and colorants free! Geddit now? ;) Find out how you can try this out FOUR FREE later on in the post~~~

Here's what the product looks like. A slightly milky liquid.You don't have to use this with a cotton pad, just drip 2-3 drops onto your palm and pat gently onto your face.

Absorbs nicely and makes my skin less scaly! After my chunk of words above, if I say that this product doesn't do anything for me, I'd be lying through my teeth. So let me state my real life experience. Firstly, I've been breaking out during the time I tried this. And because I've been breaking out, I decided to let my skin rest. Yes it's my personal weird remedy for breakouts. I try to apply as little stuff on my skin as possible, even skincare.

So that was it in my skincare routine. Just this bottle of lotion and a pimple cream. Yes amazingly, my skin did not shrivel up and become a raisin. So I think that's the best way to prove hydration. I personally don't recommend doing it to yourself, what I feel is best for me does not mean it will be best for you. So please continue using your serum and moisturizer afterwards!!! However for first timers, do note that this will be a little sticky at first but it'll disappear once you finish patting it in. True to it's words, there's no scent at all.

My skin is definitely more plump after using this and skin that is more plump also leads to the skin being more firm and taut. I haven't really seen visible lifting effects yet so I'm guessing I need to use this bottle for a longer period of time before seeing that effect!

You can get this at Watsons for $25.90 OR alternatively, you can first try a sample of it HERE! Completely free~

Effectiveness (Firming + Lifting): ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Firming yes, lifting not visible yet so one star off)

Hydration: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Definitely hydrating but my skin isn't that deprived of moisture either)

Texture: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (A little bit stick at first but absorbs pretty quickly, requires quite a bit of patting)

Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (It's worth a try, especially for sensitive skin!)

Regards.
Chiharu ❤

Disclaimer : This product was sent to me for reviewing purposes from TSS. This does not in any way affect my review!

Product Review: Shills Pore Minimizer Clarifying Toner

It's one minute to 12am, and I'm no Cinderella, but I'm gonna try to rush this post out before it's too far gone from midnight. (Trying to get 8 hours of sleep is no easy task when you're easily distracted~!) For those reading this in the dead of the night, please get to bed soon~ (o･д･)

Chiharu and I attended the Shill's event at Tampines 1 last Saturday with Teacher Judy Lin. Before we blog about the event though, here's a teaser post for you guys!

Each of the bloggers got a goodie bag filled with Shills' products, and this is one of the items I got:

The tiny illustration on the box reminds me of a white carrot with a black mushroom hair wig. Or maybe I'm just a tad too hungry. And of course, not forgetting the ingredients list at the back...

There's algae extract, calendula flower extract, vitia vinitfora seed extract and cucumis sativus in this thing. For those who have actually read the ingredients list for my previous post, you might have remembered cucumis sativus as being... cucumber. The ingredients are actually rather plant-based despite the relatively harsh-looking packaging.

Like most toner, the product comes in a (standard-issue) plastic bottle with a small opening when you open the cap. However, for this toner in particular, because of its ingredients, there may be powder sediments at the bottom of the bottle. Do not panic, as this is normal. What you have to do is simply shake the bottle, like so:

I lied -- I didn't actually shook the bottle in this picture... or it would have been blurry.

And then you pour some onto a piece of cotton pad and gently apply it to a cleansed face, as with your usual toner. I'm not sure if my camera was able to capture the details, but if you look closely enough you can probably see some of the whitish powder in the droplet of toner.

Overall, this is actually better than I thought it would be. It wasn't as harsh as the packaging made it out to be, though people with dry and sensitive skin should do a patch test first. Most powder toners are a little too drying for me though (I've got dry cheeks), so I personally wouldn't use them much. It should be good for people with oily/combination skin type though. Besides minimizing and tightening your pores, it also has pretty decent oil-control properties.

So on to the ratings:

Effectiveness (pore minimizing, clarifying): ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Hydration: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ (It is, after all, a powder toner. People with drier skin should take extra care.)
Texture: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Doesn't feel powdery after application.)
Scent:  ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (A mild minty, powdery scent... reminds me of camomile lotion)
Overall: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (Pretty decent~)

Signing off,
Ringo

Disclaimer: This product is given to me by Shills. Regardless, it does not affect my review in any way.

Product Review : Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner

どのように誰もがやっている? (  How is everyone doing? )

I haven't posted in awhile due to work... 私の仕事は私を疲れされている. But anyways, let's continue with the review and skip the ranting! The star product for today is the Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner!

A little information about the product first.

Kiehl's claims that this toner, formulated with select herbal extracts gently cleanses and soothes normal to oily skin types. It contains no alcohol or harsh synthetic drying agents. It may also be used to soothe and improve problem areas.

Cool Kiehl’s Fact: The calendula petals in our unique formula are still inserted by hand in the Kiehl’s apothecary tradition to assure the most efficacious formula. *As taken from Kiehl's official website*

I own the deluxe size of this product which contains 40ml of the product. This is how it looks like.

                          

As you can see, the bottle really does contain flower petals, hand plucked or not, I can't really tell. Just believe the website! The picture below will show you the ingredients of this toner.

The key ingredient in this toner is obviously the Calendula which is the oil extracted from the Marigold flower. Kiehl's website says that this ingredient has really mild properties that makes it ideal for oily skin types or even sensitive skin. It's supposed to soothe the skin and be especially beneficial for delicate skin.

Another key ingredient would be the Allantoin, which is a compound that is found in Comfrey Root. The comfrey plant is a hairy perennial Eurasian herb long used in herbal medicine. Known to be a bacteria inhibitor, Allantoin can soothe and reduce inflammation in various product formulations or in this case, the toner.

The last key ingredient would be the Great Burdock which is a gentle, natural ingredient known for centuries to help improve dry skin.

* All descriptions and/of key ingredients are taken from the Kiehl's official website

At this point, some of you may be confused. If it's meant for oily skin, why would it contain an ingredient meant for improving dry skin? It's basically because there's two kinds of oily. One is what we know as simply, oily. The other oily is caused by dry skin. And precisely because the skin is dry, "it" would "think" that it needs to secrete more sebum to protect "itself" hence the oiliness! I'm sorry if my explanation is unclear  but any queries can be directed to our email.

MY take on this product?

I have been religiously using my deluxe sample for quite awhile now and I've almost finished using the entire bottle. To be honest, it really is very very soothing. I am quite sure that people with more irritated and red skin would love it. I have a combination skin that leans more towards being oily and I have to say that this toner doesn't help in controlling oil at all. I don't break out often nor do I have sensitive skin. After using this toner, I haven't seen any significant results but I really did like the soothing scent of this toner that smells particularly like herbal tea. The pleasant kind, not the bitter ones!

To appreciate it, I think you'd need to have sensitive skin or skin that is very prone to having redness or breakouts. I suggest trying a sample from Kiehl's first before purchasing. Do note that this sample is rather hard to come by but you can always try your luck! I will continue using this product especially when it's towards that time of the month to see how well it works. I'll do an update if necessary.

UPDATE!!!
It does help a little in keeping my skin clear but I honestly cannot justify forking out a whopping $110 for a toner... If you can, then I suppose you can try it! You can see the current promotion of Kiehl's in the recent Kiehl's post that I did up~

Scent : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (I really like the scent!)
Texture : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Really lightweight, absorbs easily)
Effectiveness : ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Did nothing for me so far)
Overall : ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (2.5 stars actually. An average toner? It does hydrate like any other toner would.)

Also, take note that this toner comes in three sizes, 125ml, 250ml and 500ml. It costs $58, $78 and $110 respectively. Am not really sure but will double confirm again! I really wouldn't recommend the smallest size because it's really too pricey for a toner. I wouldn't be able to justify my purchase. Get a sample or get the biggest bottle!

Cheers and goodnight,
Chiharu ❤

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Disclaimer : This is not a sponsored review so there's no need to state anything here!.