Dr.Jart+ Bounce BB!

Hey all, recently I posted a review regarding Dr. Jart's Ctrl+A BB Cream and how great it was for me. I now have the privilege to review another one of their newest products, which is the Dr.Jart+ Bounce Beauty Balm!

The concept of their new Beauty Balm is a "bouncing formula" such that you'll feel elasticity with your fingertips. As with most of its BBs, it evens skin tone and covers blemishes, whilst this version takes care of dryness as well as rough skin texture. It has brightening, Anti-wrinkle and UV protection as SPF 30/PA++.

I was afraid to use this at first because of the word "moisturising" which I feared would cause me breakouts. Thankfully it was quite gentle on my skin and it just moisturised at the right amount, not too shiny, but glowy afterwards! Another thing about it is that it seems to just sit on top of your face in the beginning, but same as my beloved Ctrl+A, it blends well into your skin after a while, making it look flawless.

Price. It will be launched today, 27th of March at all Guardian stores at a promotional price of $34.90. I find that quite cheap given the quality of Dr.Jart+ products.

Availability. As mentioned before, Dr Jart+ is available at Guardian stores:

• Takashimaya

• Bedok Mall

• Parkway Parade

SASA stores:

• Nex

• Jurong point

• Tampines One

• Wisma

• Holland Village

• Vivo city

• Causeway point

• Plaza Singapura

• Lot 1

Fragrance. Another thing that I absolutely love about it is that it doesn't have any strong fragrance and smells fresh and clean, so I don't need to worry that it will irritate my sensitive skin.

Design. Unlike their other BBs that are available in squeezable tube bottles that are to be applied by hands, this BB comes in compact yet liquid form, together with a rubbery textured sponge for easy retouching throughout the day. But girls, let me remind you to always clean the applicator, the same way that you must always clean your makeup brushes! Failure to do so will lead to bacteria build up!
I also like their packaging which is very clean and almost clinical, similar to the way that their products are fuss free and focused more on skin care rather than just makeup features.

Texture/Consistency. It looks a bit thick at first glance and because you don't feel it with your fingertips when you apply it, you'd think that it's very creamy but it's not. It is in reality quite light and the applicator ensures that you don't put too much of it. 

Colour. I find that it's not as white as the Ctrl+A, but it blends very well and it's the exact same colour as my skin (which is fair), so when I apply it it looks very natural.

All my photos here are only edited with brightness and contrast. If you look closely, you'll see that it does cover up most blemishes, but a teeny bit of acne scars will show upon first application. Doesn't matter though since it looks smooth and clear overall! This is more for people who like their makeup really natural. What it does is corrects and evens out your skin tone and makes it look more supple and seemingly elastic.

Again, for those of you who find knowing the ingredients very important!

It's a very good BB Cream for those who don't like heavy coverage and want their skin feeling smooth and plump throughout the day.

So how does it look like and fare on my skin?

I can see you scrolling up and down comparing my before makeup and after makeup photos. Haha! Anyway, continue: (following photos were taken from my phone, btw, thus the difference from the first two above)

Apart from this, Dr.Jart+ will be celebrating its 10th year anniversary! So together with the Bounce BB, they will be releasing the Radiance Beauty Balm and Dis-A-Pore Beauty Balm this mid-april so do watch out for them!

Also, do you like free samples? All you need to do is like their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DrJartSpore and show this to their counters at Guardian Ngee Ann City from Thursday to Sunday and you get free samples! I also got a lot from the Ctrl+A range, which apparently is not just a BB!

The moisturiser is very light and I tried the Drying Spot Corrector, which did actually help to heal my extracted pimple.

I now really am a fan of Dr. Jart+ and quite thankful for discovering it! Surely going to try their other products since it really works well!

BlackBox SG First Year Anniversary

Have you guys ever heard of Black Box? It's a bi-monthly unisex lifestyle-sampling box. Each box contains a limited set of at least five (5) of the latest complimentary product samples and vouchers from various independent labels. The box itself is hand delivered, and the product samples and vouchers inside provide an opportunity for the subscribers to get a glimpse and a taste of the latest lifestyle items and services. Eligibility to receive Black Box is dependent on either balloting, where each subscriber will have one chance of balloting for each edition of Black Box via a Facebook App OR by paying for your own courier fee of SGD6.00 through Black Box e-store or Qoo10. So if you're asking, if you don't get to win the ballots, nope you don't have to pay for the box, just the courier fee! Easy and cheap eh? Go subscribe!

So yeah, a few weeks ago I went with Gwen and Alene to their first year anniversary!

From there, we were introduced to some (if not many) of their brands and at the end received a HUMONGOUS Black Box!!

...inside of which is the original-sized BlackBox that subscribers can receive bimonthly which contains these:

It sure is an interesting way to try products before buying them. The products that we got at the party were interesting AND useful too!

Ziaja

Ziaja comes with a range of products for face, body and hair care. I got to try their micellar cleansing water, which I like, because it absolutely does not have any fragrance at all and doesn't irritate my skin. Cleans pretty well too!

How to use: Apply on a cotton pad and sweep over face to remove makeup and/or other impurities.

Darlie (Toothpaste)

We were shown a demo how Darlie expert white can whiten teeth by preventing stains, especially for those who love to drink coffee and tea (zzz.. like me) Have yet to try because I'm still finishing my own tub of toothpaste, but I surely need this!

L'Oreal EverStrong

Funny how most of the products that were there that night were applicable to me. Lucky to have gotten hold of L'Oreal's thickening tonic--I know my hair is thick enough, but it has become so weak and brittle and this helps to fortify from the scalp.

How to use: After shampoo, spray onto roots and massage into scalp.

I actually love the feeling whenever I apply it, because it has this cooling sensation (it has rosemary mint) that calms my scalp especially if it's feeling itchy.

Adore Feminine Pads

What I actually like about these pads is that the Comfort All Days come in pack that contains 6 pcs Day pad (for regular daytime use), 3 pcs Night pad (for heavy flows) and 4 pcs Lite Flow Day (for, well, as it says, light flow when your period is about to end). Very convenient!! It apparently also contains Negative Ions which, according to their website, control and suppress the survival and growth of bacteria effectively.

I've already tried it and it did seem to be more hygienic and not irritating as compared to the old ones that I use. Definitely repurchasing. Not expensive too, ranging from S$4.65-S$5.85.

Star Lash

Being a constant user of false lashes, Star Lash is familiar to me, and I was quite surprised that it is a Singapore-grown brand. They have a wide variety of lashes from simple to thick to funky lashes. Also, I have been using their lash glue until now, since it is the only glue that can keep lashes firmly in place throughout the day for me. I've tried other brands and I'd always get this "Oh, one of your lashes is falling off" comments. I guess even my eyes are too oily. But not with star lash glue!

Jacqueline Burchell

This brand has a wide range of nail polish which includes Gel and Lacquer polishes. I've yet to try but judging from Paperkitties' use of them last time, they're of good quality. Check out their website here.

Unisoy

Those who know me well know how much I love soy. Also, it's a less guiltier option to dairy products! Unisoy is instant organic soy milk which is low in fat, cholesterol-free and dairy free. I personaly like the Black Soy Milk from the package. 

Hee Beauty

Unexpectedly, this is my favorite among all the products we were introduced to at Black Box's anniversary party. You see the LED thing right there? Initially I was drawn off by the packaging, that curly decor surrounding the light. It represents the "magic" that these lights do. It comes in several range:

Magic Collagen
Magic Duo  (Collagen and White)
Magic Acne
Magic White

Obviously I chose the Magic Acne, thinking what the heck I'd give it a try but how is light supposed to remove my pimples? Well guys and girls, been using it for a few weeks now AND IT WORKS! I would probably do a full review of this product later because it's just so interesting, but so you know, it does work.

How to use: Hold the device 3-5mm away from your face (near the areas of concern). The light will automatically turn off after it's done.

I usually use it before going to bed. I had this pimple last week and a few days after exposing it to this item the bump subsided. It wasn't coincidental too, because after that I used it on another pimple that started popping out and that, too, subsided. Seriously WHAT SORCERY IS THIS? Moreover, I've inquired from them and searched from the internet and apparently there are no side effects, as well.

See their website here.

Quite interesting, right? I really enjoyed myself trying out these products!

Thank you so much Black Box SG and gwenyummy !! ^_~

BB Cream for Acne Prone Skin: Dr. Jart Ctrl-A Beauty Balm Review

I mentioned in my previous post that if I ever find a good BB Cream for my skin that is currently soo prone to adult acne, I would share it with you. And so a few months back, I tried one, called Dr. Jart + Ctrl-A Beauty Balm. I've been using it for more than 2 months now so I can safely say that I'm quite confident in this product.

Before anything else, this is an unsponsored post and I searched for this BB cream by myself since I was in desperate need of something to cover up my blemishes but at the same would not be harsh to my already sensitive and full-of-breakouts face. I browsed through a lot of possible choices until I decided to buy this at Luxola. Unfortunately, it's quite hard to find in Watson's/Guardians or other cosmetic stores ; it can only be found online.

~ Update!  Dr. Jart+ is available in Guardian stores:

• Takashimaya
• Bedok Mall
• Parkway Parade

Ctrl+A range can be bought from here. As for their other best selling BB creams and ceramidin range, they are available in selected SASA stores:

• Nex
• Jurong point
• Tampines One
• Wisma
• Holland Village
• Vivo city
• Causeway point
• Plaza Singapura
• Lot 1

As you can see from above, it's targeted to clear and prevent breakouts, and is especially for sensitive skin. It doesn't irritate the skin at all and it doesn't block pores, but don't expect it to really CLEAR your breakouts. We all know blackheads, whiteheads and acne need a lot of care, attention and even medication in order for us to eradicate them. And although it may not clear those that you already have, this BB Cream does not cause any, which is its major selling point.

Price. S$42.00 which may be a bit pricey for some but it's worth it.
Fragrance. Almost with no fragrance at all, which is very important to me. Scented facial products almost always irritate my skin so this was a good sign!

Texture. It's a bit on the thick side, but not too thick that it will cake nor make you look like you're wearing tons of makeup. Also, it's up to you if you want to apply it thinly if you don't really need much coverage, but if you do, you just have to adjust the heaviness of your application depending on how much and which areas you want to cover. I actually don't use foundation or anything else anymore, just this, even on evening events because it's enough to cover up my blemishes or any redness.
Colour. It IS on the fair side as most asian BB Creams are, and as much as I've seen so far, it's only available in this colour.

I had a bruise on my hand on the day I took this photo (dunno where it came from though). As you can see from the "After" photo it even covered up this mark and made the skin look brighter.

And this is for those of you who like to look through ingredients. What's important to me is that it's free of paraben, fragrance, talc, pigment, mineral oils, Phthalate , alcohol, benzophenone, petrolatum nor marked preservatives.

It also has UV Protection SPF 30 so I don't use sunblock anymore, despite my friends' and dermatoligist's protests that I should NEVER GO OUT WITHOUT SUNBLOCK. I'm hoping this would be enough since most sunblocks also have SPF 30.

Below is what I look like, well, half of what I look like before I use the BB Cream.  I'll let you cut it out and connect the two together because the full picture doesn't look too good LOL. I had a very bad breakout experience from the past months and I'm still trying to recover from it.. even my skin is so tired from fighting this battle :(

And above is after I applied the BB Cream! Initially it will look like you really did apply something but after a while it blends nicely into your skin.

One thing though, is that it does feel a biiit greasy at the end of the day, but that's because my face is really oily. Just need to dab a bit of tissue here and there, reapply a bit, and you can go off again for a nice dinner with your loved ones.

I really love it and overall, I give it a 9 out of 10!

Hope this helped those of you who are just like me, suffering from acne and looking for something to cover it up without making it worse. I do still want to go makeup-less and have my good skin back but for now this at least helps regain my confidence!

New Hair at Komachi the Hair Cult

Okay so I did mention before that I did something drastic to my hair. Something really different that people almost cannot recognize me anymore. lol.

I've been having my hair done (and by having hair done it means once or twice a year, yes I am that lousy when it comes to hair I really should go for treatments more often) at Komachi since two years ago, because you see, I am very particular with how my hair is cut. My hair is naturally wavy/curly and if it's not Koreans or Japanese who cut my hair I end up looking silly. Im serious. Particularly my fringe, I can't really trust anyone else to cut my hair. So yes my hairstylist is Meiko, and she is japanese.:)

What I also like about them is that they really care for my hair. Like, Miko (Not Meiko now don't be confused! LOL Meiko is the hairstylist and Miko assists her and does the treatments!:)) would always remind me not to use hot water for my hair because apparently, that's bad.

You may or may not use this photo later to convice me that I look better in this hair. Also, last photo of me this year with these locks.

Okay maybe that was second to the last photo. Kekeke

So yeah. As I was saying. Miko really cares for my tresses. She also flat out discouraged me from doing this to my hair. Which is... bleaching it. Yep, I bleached my hair. She advised that it really damages the hair and the colour I wanted was very fleeting. But I was quite hard headed and insistent so she scared me with it's okay I guess, we can always cut your hair really short if it becomes too damaged, which almost successfully made me back out but I'm really quite the hard headed one. And so, we proceeded!

Bleaching once..

Bleaching twice.. I actually liked this colour, like platinum blonde. But I guess my hair won't be able to take that kind of bleaching.

Gaaaaa this was flat out scary!!

Starting to  turn into the colour I wanted!

It actually took me the whole day, my whole sunday was spent there just to colour it this way. Also, Miko sponsored a treatment for me so that my hair will be less damaged!

Meiko-san starting to iron and curl my hair^^ 

DONE!

It didn't appear too dry because of Miko's signature treatment! I loved it so much, because not only did it moisturize my hair, it was also very relaxing! Cause during the treatment it began to become quite itchy and uncomfortable because of the chemicals, but when she applied the scalp treatment it was immediate relief and very cooling on the head. It's a really great way to end the day after sitting on that chair for hours on end. This is Miko's signature treatment so do look for her when you want to go for this treatment too!:)

Hair and Scalp Treatment

Scalp Treatment

Main ingredient is green tea leaves to soothe and calm the scalp down after the chemical service, and also for sensitive scalps. It also balances back the scalp pH. It also has mint, which gives the very cooling and relaxing sensation and instantly removes any irritation on the scalp.

Hair Treatment with Argan Oil

This rejuvenates dry hair and makes it moisturized. Frizzy hair becomes more smooth! Seriously I was already expecting my hair to look like a broomstick when I walked out but thankfully this treatment made it manageable.

Miko on the left and Meiko-san on the right! Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu!

 Also, since I was there for a long time, they made sure I wasn't hungry, gave me biscuits, tea, Milo, etc. I felt quite pampered, which is actually the whole point of going to a salon, right? Thank you so much Miko and Meiko-san!:)

Later on that day! I am loving my new hair! It's very light ash brown by the way!

So I am writing this a few weeks later, almost a month jeez I'm sorry. As I've said before, I am very careless with my hair. I know I'm supposed to wash it every other day but I can't help but wash it every day, well, because the weather is so hot I cannot take it. I have to do another treatment again soon, because it has started to become dry again which is inevitable! And annoyingly enough my roots are starting to grow! ack! So here is a preview photo of my hair now.. even though the ashy-brown has faded and I am now a blonde (hopefully not bimbo), I still love it and I think I'm keeping this hair muhahahaha

I will be posting the rest of these photos after this post. Why not now? Because Im vain and I want a separate post for that. Hee. 

Feel free to comment if you have any questions regarding my treatment, or anything else!

Also, you can contact them, or find them here:

KOMACHI THE HAIR CULT

360 Orchard Road
#02-03/04 International Building(next to ANZ Bank)

Tel:+65 63399432 +65 68363391 

Email:hello@komachihair.com

http://komachihair.com