Annie's Way jelly masks & Supreme Diamond Light Feather mask sheets

If you're looking for a good face mask, I have a recommendation. Nothing I use is expensive but it's effective. That's what matters most. This is not a sponsored post; I write good reviews when the products show good results and vice versa.

I found this Taiwan made mask called Annie's Way (hate the name!). Nothing fancy or glamorous about its name here but the products, work like a miracle.

Annie's Way has gel type masks that come in a jar and face mask sheets. I'm using both types. The Arbutin + Hyaluronic Acid Jelly mask is wonderful! Instant brightening effect and skin stay soft and supple throughout the night. The trick here is not to wash off the mask but towel it off. Not a good idea to tissue it off because the leftover mask residue is really sticky. So, use a damp towel instead. I also bought the new Charcoal black jelly mask, which is more for oily skin, to draw out impurities from the skin.

 

The other type of mask that I'm using is the Annie's Way Supreme Diamond Light Feather mask sheet. It claims to prevent wrinkles, whitens, tones and moisturises skin in 1 easy step. An easy alternative for me when I need something quick to perk up my skin. The mask sheet is so thin (it looks almost transparent on my face) and its essence doesn't dry out as fast as other typical mask sheets in the market. The effect: my skin is well moisturised after each usage although the brightening effect is not as good as the Arbutin Jelly mask.

Currently Annie's Way is available in Malaysia. You can get it at any MaskSlim outlets. Not available in Singapore yet, I've checked. The good news is Mask Slim is also available online.

They're having good promos now. Jelly mask is selling for RM76.50 per 250ml jar at MaskSlim online store. If you shop at their outlets, the jelly masks cost RM85 (normal price) but it comes with FOC 3 pieces of mask sheet that cost RM7 each. Jelly masks are also available in trial/travel packs costing RM8 per 25ml pack. The Supreme Diamond Light Feather mask is selling for RM9 per piece. The promotion now is purchase 5 pieces, and you'll get another 5 pieces for free!

 

Nivea In-Shower Extra Whitening Skin Conditioner

 

Big yay!

 

Look what I found during my Bangkok trip? The new Nivea In-Shower Skin Conditioner with extra whitening power! No SPF though! The unforgiving hot sun has moulded me into a skin-whitening beauty junkie. Anything that has extra whitening power and SPF in it attracts me like magnets.

 

Earlier this year, I wrote a review on Nivea skin conditioner and I wished it has the whitening with SPF variation. When I spotted it in Boots, Bangkok, I quickly grabbed a few bottles without hesitance. Selling for 1050 THB each, it's way cheaper than the ones sold in Singapore.

 

However, after trying it out, I was actually quite disappointed. The unpleasant slippery feeling and stickiness after towel-drying remain similar to the variation for normal-skin that I've purchased earlier this year. The scent is indifferent as well, except that this one has Camu Camu for skin whitening effects and the one for normal-skin contains Sea Minerals.

 

Since whitening power need consistent usage to see result, I cannot write how effective the product is, for now. My skin is definitely smoother, but not softer. Like hair conditioners, it sort of 'coat' the skin with a layer of moisture for long lasting smoothness. Although it should have come with SPF for extra points, I am just as happy to have it for I-am-too-lazy-for-lotion days.

 

The wonders of peeling gels

Peeling gel exfoliators are becoming a hit in Asia, especially in Taiwan, China, Korea and Japan. I am one big time user of peeling gels. It is better than conventional granular face scrub, if you ask me.

 

Peeling gel is not similar to chemical peel. It is a type of cellulose gel that 'scrub away' corneous layer (dead skin) accumulated on the top layer of the skin. It has proven to be effective, at least to me. This post is a personal comparison reviews between 4 brands of peeling gels that I have been using over a period of 1 year.

 

The brands are:
1. Cure Natural Aqua Gel (Japan)
2. Gowoonsesang Brightening Peeling Gel (Korea)
3. Coreana Premium Peeling Magic (Korea) - brand name changed to Lavida on newer packaging.
4. Ginvera Nutri White Marvel Gel (Singapore)
 

Which peeling gel is most effective for me? The winner is Cure Natural Aqua Gel!
 

In spite of the fact that each one of them states it should be used once or twice a week, I'm using the peeling gel every alternate days.

 

Cure is the mildest of all. So I can actually use it every night to thoroughly removes traces of make up. It is unscented and preservative-free too.

 

For whitening or brightening purposes, Gowoonsesang is the best. My skin was instantly brighten but it can be too drying to be used every alternate days. Thus, I am using it once a week in place of Cure. For best results, use on towel-dry skin despite the instruction says it should be used on damp skin.

 

Ginvera is the most affordable of all four but I dislike the gel scent. However, it does the job pretty well, I say. It leaves the skin feeling squeaky clean.

 

At the bottom of the list is Coreana/Lavida. The gel texture turns watery once I gently scrub it on my skin but the cellulose residues seem to stick onto my fine facial hair when I'm done scrubbing. Rinsing off the gel takes a lil' more effort too.

 

Radiant skin with Laneige Water Supreme Base SPF 15 PA+

I used to have at least 15 minutes after shower to put on my make up. That was before I have my 2 kids. Nowadays, I have 10 minutes max, including shower time before the 2 monsters come screaming and pounding on my bathroom door. 10 seconds late in opening the door and I swear the door will see a hole through it.

If you're looking for a short cut to healthy, bouncy skin, try Laneige Water Supreme Base. I have been using it for almost a year now and it works wonders on my dull skin. It's great for mothers like me who barely has time to put on full make up but still wants a great looking skin with minimal efforts.

Laneige has 3 colours for the Water Supreme Primer Base:
• Light Pink (to even out skin tone)
• Light Purple (to brighten up dull skin)
• Light Green (to reduce redness on skin)

I am using the purple one. Just like the name suggests, it doesn't only act as a base to hold your foundation but it helps to maintain moisture on your skin, resulting in supple and translucent skin. It also has SPF 15 to block out harmful UV rays.

After a light moisturiser, I apply an even layer of the primer base (2 to 3 pumps) all over my face and neck. Due to its watery texture, it doesn't feel sticky on my skin.

Fluid texture

Yes, that's my dry looking hand. Evidence of brighter, dewy skin.

I hardly use foundation nowadays (unless for special occasions) but I replace it with loose powder, just to set a matte finish on my skin. After that I use an eyebrow pencil to fill in some mahagony brown onto both eyebrows and dab on some tinted lip balm on the lips.

Now, here comes the downside. It is too sheer to be able to cover any blemishes unlike BB creams. Its function is to achieve radiant looking skin. If you've dry skin, this product is definitely for you.

Nivea In-Shower Skin Conditioner

 

Couple of months back I invested in the new Nivea whitening serums which did give some satisfactory results on my skin tone. Walking under the blazing hot Singapore sun barely a year has turned my skin so dark and dull that I knew I have to regain my original skin tone with some combinations of effective whitening products.

 

When I saw Nivea skin conditioner in Caring pharmacy, I knew I simply have to try this. It's a big WOW to lazy mommies like me. I am never a fan of body lotions (even when I was single) because it's a hassle. Now that I have 2 kids on tow, applying body lotion is even a bigger hassle. Skin conditioner is the answer to my laziness!

 

The new skin conditioner by Nivea has nothing to do with whitening but it claims to leave the skin feeling silky soft, with the convenience of using it in the shower. So, that means I can simply slather it all over my body and rinse it off thereafter. No mess and no need to wait for the lotion to be absorbed. How convenient is that?

 

Upon first time usage, my skin is:
• silky smooth to the touch (when skin is completely dry).
• mildly scented.
• soft? No, not really. More like smooth.
• feeling moisturised all over (including hard-to-reach places and butts crack). Okay, that was gross but hey, it's an honest review.

 

Do I like it? I'll give 2 out of 5 stars for the innovation and convenience. For the other 3 stars, Nivea has to improve on:
• reducing the slippery feeling it gives me after rinsing.
• reducing the sticky feeling on my damp skin after towel-drying.
• making the skin soft to touch besides feeling smooth.

 

Currently, Nivea in-shower skin conditioner has 2 variations; for the normal skin and dry skin. I will repurchase only if Nivea comes out with whitening variant with SPF for dull skin.

 

Human vs. Robot @ Ho2T Playland, Katong V Singapore

Human vs. Robot theme playground - the entrance

More play area underneath the padded stairs

Human vs. Robot combat area! Balls for shooting are all over the place.

The 'dark room' illuminated with LED lightings to create an outer space feel for the kids while they bounce up and down.

Girly fun! Tall Barbie mansion with a rooftop jacuzzi, a baby doll and her cute lil' crib, mini kitchen and grill set complete with utensils, miniature cleaning set (mop, brush, vacuum cleaner) for domestic goddess in the making!

Books and more toys!

Parents, opt to chill with fine Italian cuppas at its Ho2T Cuppa House or choose from a variety of snacks and titbits available for purchase at the counter. If you have older kids who may be too 'grown up' for play land, head over to Ho2T Weekend (right next to the play land) for some Art, Invention or Robotic classes available from SG$ 45 - $75 per hour (non-member price).

Address:

Katong V (Ho2T is on level 3)

30, East Coast Road, #03-09/12

Singapore. 428751

Contact: 66354704 / contact@ho2t.com.sg

www.ho2t.com.sg

Entrance Fee (for non-member price): 

Weekday (3 hours play)

Above 2 years old: SG$25

0-2 years old: SG$12

Weekdays (1 hour play)

Above 2 years old: SG$18

0-2 years old: SG$8

Weekends & Public holidays (2 hours play)

Above 2 years old: SG$30

0-2 years old: SG$15

Weekends & Public holidays (1 hour play)

Above 2 years old: SG$20

0-2 years old: SG$10

Membership (7+2 play)

Above 2 years old: SG$154

0-2 years old: SG$70

Membership (5+1 play)

Above 2 years old: SG$110

0-2 years old: SG$50

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Pros:

• Great selections of toys for different age groups.
• Well organised play areas and divided play sections.
• Chill out area for parents to enjoy drinks and snacks at an affordable price.

Cons:

• Relatively small area and cramped up space.
• Not enough space to park the strollers inside. 
• One accompanying adult to one paying child only.
• Only 1 staff handling the whole play land.

CT's rating:

Maxis Broadband

It's still not too late to say...

Happy New Year, people!

No new year resolution for me this year. For the past 5 years, it has always been no more menthol lights as my first resolution but it's harder to do than say. Very depressing.

But I did something fruitful yesterday. You see, I'm a loyal Maxis customer who has been using their services since 1997 (in fact, my whole family is using Maxis) but yesterday I've signed up with other broadband provider for the first time after having to put up with Maxis lousy network for the past 1 month! Maxis should know that loyal customer doesn't mean stupid customer.