Wednesday, July 30, 2014

DIY: Avocado Hair Mask

Hey Sotongs,

I'm sure besides a beautiful face, we all wanted beautiful, silky smooth hair right?

Today, as avocado is on sale in my neighborhood supermarket, I decided to try out this DIY hair mask that's rumored to repair your hair making it silky smooth.

What you'll need:


1/2 Avocado (I use the other half to make a milk shake)
1 tablespoon Honey
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Sweet Almond Oil




How to make it:


Cut the avocado in half and scoop out the flesh.
Mash it up in a bowl using a fork or a potato masher, making sure there are no lumps. (Alternatively, you can use a food processor to really grind it well)
Add in the rest of the ingredient and mix it into a paste
Wet your hair and apply the mask onto your hair.
Leave it on for 30minutes.
Wash it off with your shampoo and condition as usual.



So, what's my verdict on this DIY hair mask?
Well, it didn't make a difference to my hair, it feels the same as before and the only difference is the hint of olive oil smell on my hair. But since this hair mask is cheap and some say effective, why not give it a shot and tell me whether it does its trick on your hair?

xoxo,
~ Sotong Rei

DIY: Baking Soda Blackhead Removing Scrub

Hi DIY Sotongs~

Most people with oily, combination skin suffers from something really pesky and irritating called the whiteheads and blackheads. It is caused by excess serum and dirt trapped inside open pores and we...  HATE it.

So I'm gonna share with you guys today my top favorite DIY recipe which helps improves the whiteheads/blackheads condition, which is the... *drumrolls*


"Baking Soda Blackhead Removing Scrub"!

This is a simple recipe that I like to do at home once a week to remove the gunks stuck in the pores of my nose and the area around. It's not exactly a REMOVING scrub but more of a loosening scrub which gently buffs away the "plug" that covers the actual thing on the nose.


What you'll need:

1 teaspoon of baking soda
A wet foundation brush



How to:
  1. Take 1/2 teaspoon of Baking SODA and place it into a bowl. (I use an empty face cream container)
  2. Wet the foundation brush with water.
  3. Using just the water on the brush, mix the baking soda into a paste. (If it's too wet, the scrub won't adhere to you face too well)
  4. Start with a freshly washed face, spread the scrub onto your nose and chin area and leave it on for 1 minute.
  5. After that, start massaging the scrub in a circular motion to loosen the whiteheads/blackheads for about 1-2 minutes.
  6. Rinse off with luke warm water to further open the pores (if you are following up with a pore strip), if not just rinse with tap water. 
  7. (Optional) Follow up with a pore strip.

I prefer to follow up with a pore strip to "extract" the dirt. So I pasted a pore strip on my nose and waited for it to dry and harden.


This is what I got after peeling off the pore strip.

WARNING: 
EXTREME GROSS-NESS AHEAD!!



Disgusting huh?

The scrub somehow maximizes the "power" of the pore strip, since it has removed the "cover" of the blackheads, allowing it to be remove easily by the sticky pore strip.

My nose feels really clear and clean after using this scrub with a pore strip and most of the whiteheads are gone as you can see from the picture. However, the deeper ones still requires a professional extraction at a facial salon. 

Effectiveness (If followed up with a pore strip):


xoxo, 
~ Sotong Rei

Review: MegRhythm Steaming Eye Mask

Hey Sotongs,

I've recently purchased a bunch of stuffs on Qoo10 to try out and after my previous post on MegRhythm Steam Eye Mask, I felt that I had to get it to give a review on it.

It comes in a box of 14, but I opted out of the box and the seller allows a mix and match of two scents. So I got the Fresh Rose and Lavender Sage.


I decided to try out the Lavender one first as I'm having some sleeping problems lately. Hopefully the scent and the steam will help me to relax.

This is what you'll get after you opened the packaging.

A coloured/patterned side (Front)

A plain white side (Back)
Yea, I know. It looks like a sanitary pad... (-- ')

 It comes with ear loops so that it can stay nicely in place. 
Whether you are sitting or lying down.

Here's me with the mask on. 
*This is literally a blind selfie.*

The mask heats up to 40 degree celcius once you opened up the packaging. Leave it on for 10 minutes for a mini sauna for your eyes. After a minute or so, I can really feel "steam" on my eyes. It felt like I'm having a sauna session for your peepers.

*Confession* I fell asleep using the mask! It was about 30 minutes later when I woke up. The mask still felt slightly warm to the touch. The puffiness around my eyes seems a little bit reduced and yea, I slept better last night too!

I'd recommend this to all sotongs who wants to have a mini sauna treatment for your eyes. It's relaxing with an aromatic scent. What's not to love?

If you are not ready to commit to a box, click here to redeem a free sample. 
Note: Shipping will take 4-5 weeks to process.

xoxo, 
Sotong Rei

Review: Hanaka Macaron Facial Mask

Hilo Sotongs,

On Saturday morning I've received a package I ordered from Bellabox and I can't wait to share this cute lil thing with you!

I saw this on Bellabox website which some might have received in their July's box, unfortunately not me, so I thought I must have it.

Tadah!
Hanaka Macaroni Facial Masks

Aren't they the cutest thing ever? It comes in a set of 5 and I got the Moisturizing Repairing set. Another set is the Whitening Purifying set.


There's a list of all the "flavours" on the back of the box.

Each set comes with 10 gel masks. Two halves make up a complete macaron.

My skin been feeling pretty dry lately, so I decided to try the hyaluronic mask, which comes in the cute baby blue pot.
The mask is transparent with a gel-like consistency.

Here's my face slathered on with the mask.
Please pardon the blur look. Struggling to take a selfie when I can't see. I'm very blind without my contacts on.

Apply a generous layer all over your face. I still have some left so I applied on my jaw and chinny chin chin. The mask felt kinda minty/tingly on my skin. So if you are allergic to mint or don't like the minty sensation, I don't think this mask is for you.

I left it on for 20mins while I do some reading and after washing off, my skin felt a bit more plumped up and less rough.

I'm gonna try and use the other masks in the set and update again!

Xoxo,
Sotong Rei

Monday, July 21, 2014

Treat your eyes to some relaxing steam

Hi Sotongs,

Are you having trouble falling asleep at night? Are your eyes constantly looking tired even after infinite hours of sleep?

Pamper and brighten up your peepers with some relaxing steam!

Relieve, relax and rejuvenate your eyes in just 10 minutes with MegRhythm Steam Eye Mask!


This innovative eye mask heats up to 40℃ and releases steam after your open the packaging. Comes with ear loops to hook behind your ears, so that the comfortable mask can be used whether you are sitting up or lying down.

Available in: Unscented, Fresh Rose, 
Lavender-Sage and Chamomile-Ginger.



Click on the following link to redeem your free sample!

Xoxo,
Sotong Rei

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Review: July's Bellabox

Hi Sotongs!

I just received July's Bellabox last night and I can't wait to share with you!
It comes in the standard little blue box and when u open it, you'll see the monthly description card of what you'll get in the current month's box.


Cute macaron stickers included!


My box came with 6 products of which most of them I've tried before therefore I am able to give you an immediate review. First off, lets start with the hair products.

L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Eversleek Shampoo and Conditioner, 59ml each. 
(Don't bash me up for the odd digit, it was seriously printed on the tube itself)

I've used these babies a couple months back and really love how the shampoo gave me sleek and smooth hair even before using conditioner. My hair is really dry and damaged due to rebonding and coloring, so it gets tangled after shampooing but this shampoo managed to smooth out my hair. After conditioning, my hair feels really smooth and I can run a hair brush through it without any kinks (not that you should do that when your hair is wet)
These travel size tubes is great for taking them with you when you are travelling. For me,  I'm definitely putting these duo into my gym bag.
They retail at S$14.90 each for 250ml.

Next up, Asience Leave-on Hair Treatment Milk. 
Another of my old favourite until I found my new bff, Argan Oil, that is gonna be in a separate post. 

Apply this leave-on treatment onto damp or dry hair after shampoo and conditioner. I usually use it when my hair is 80% dry cuz I feel it absorbs better that way. I use about a 20cent amount and apply the product about halfway down to the ends cuz that is the most damaged part then use whatever that's left on my palm and smooth it over my crown area. 
It doesn't feel greasy and makes my hair smell nice like all Asience product with a light herbal smell. My hair does feel smoother and less frizzy when I was using it but I guess my hair was too damaged for it to repair. 

It retails at S$14.90 for 100ml.

Let's move on to the face. 
L'Oreal Paris UV Perfect Anti-Dullness UV Protector. 
(Gosh, all these L'Oreal products have really long names...) 

The product had a slight lavender tone to it, which supposedly counteracts any dullness on your skin like the Makeup Forever HD Primer in Mauve. 
When u apply it, it has a watery texture and absorbs quite quickly into your skin. It doesn't feel greasy or heavy like some sunscreen does.

After applying I see a slight brightening effect on my skin. 
It has SPF 50+ UVB and UVA PA+++ for up to 12 hours long. Not sure if it really does stay that long but its definitely useful for a lazy sotong like me who doesn't reapply my sunblock every now and then. It also says to use as a daily UV protector or a moisturizing makeup base. I have to use it longer to know if its moisturizing enough.
It retails at S$22.90 for 30ml which I would say quite affordable. 

Benzac AC 5%
A product I've used few years back when I was having quite bad hormonal acne. It claims to fight acne without drying skin. It contains Benzoyl Peroxide which kills P-acnes bacteria within 48hrs and Acrylates Copolymer (AC) beads to absorb sebum and release glycerin that helps hydrates the skin. 

My take on this, it works alright but I don't like the dry white layer on my skin after applying, which means I can only use it at night. It dries out the pimple really quickly but doesn't really hydrates the skin. I'm left with crusty skin and dry patches after using it. Maybe my sensitive skin doesn't really like it.
It retails at S$17.50 for 60g. 

Moving on the last two products which I really wanna try in the box. 

Lollipops Goodbye Moon Eye Pencil in Black. 
It is a retractable eye pencil and the product comes out really smoothly. 
The color is a smooth black shade. 

I have really oily eyelids which cause even liquid eyeliner to smudge on me so I shall give it a try and come back with an update on the staying power. 
It retails at S$20.

My favourite product in the box 

*Drumrolls* 

Givenchy Ange ou Demon le Secret EDP!

On the description card, it says: 
Brilliantly refreshing with an uplifting fruity floral scent, this fragrance seduces with its unique "jasmine tea" theme. 

It has a sweet floral scent with a realty slight hint of citrus. The jasmine tea theme is like a base note but not in your face like some green tea perfume. It's not overpoweringly sweet which makes it a great daytime perfume to bring out the sweet and innocent side of you.
It retails at S$200 for 100ml. 

That's it for the super long post! Hope you sotongs enjoyed this lengthy review! 

cheers,
Sotong Rei

*Disclaimer. I am not sponsored by Bellabox or affiliated to any brand mentioned in this post. 
Bellabox is a subscription I paid for using my own money. 

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Lancome: Get 1 Foundation, enjoy 3 free beauty gifts


All Lancôme fans check this out!
Purchase any Lancôme foundation and get to pick 3 Lancôme beauty classics of your choice from a selection. Choose from best-sellers such as the French prestige beauty brand’s legendary Hypnose Star Mascara, Advanced Genifique Serum, Genifique Light Pearl from among an entire suite of exciting beauty deluxes-sized bottles.

Available from July 1 – July 31, 2014 at all Lancôme counters.
Limited to 1 redemption per customer only. While stocks last.
Check out this link for more information on redemption.

Cheers!
Sotong Rei

Revamping in Progress

Hi sotongs,

After 3 years of hiatus, I finally decided to give my blog a revamp. Starting with a change in my blog name. Just in Time will now be called Missy Sotong's Haven with a easier to remember URL: http://missysotong.blogspot.sg

I've decided to dedicate this blog to all the makeup sotongs who are just beginning to venture into the cosmetic "haven" and have no idea where to start. Everything ranging from product reviews, DIYs,  skincare routine and makeup looks will be included in future blog posts.

I will also be adding a personal (sotong) touch to this blog by doing a weekly update on my life (mainly food haha).

I will be re-posting my old posts as soon as I remove all the watermarks on the pictures.

My first post will be up this week, reviewing the June Bellabox since I've pretty much used all the products in there. Reviews on July's box will be up as soon as I've tried all the products which I will be getting today!

Love y'all!
Sotong Rei