Beauty Talk – Dermagold skincare range just for me

I have always had sensitive skin since I started getting my own skincare products and going for facials. I found out that I actually have very sensitive skin when I started getting hives too often during facial and aesthetic treatments. My skin also reacts to certain skincare brands and their products pretty quickly and I have a bad habit of buying a whole range of products because I wanted them to look uniform and for the fear that different brands used together may have negative effects.

So last year, I found the perfect skincare range for my skin and they have been working superb for me! The main reasons why I love how Dermagold products are really good for my skins:
- no more breakouts just before time-of-the-month
- acnes/pimples are settled without having to squeeze them out
- products are super gentle to my skin
- my skin cleared up immediately after the first week of usage

Dermagold

Have I mentioned the founders of Dermagold are 2 beautiful doctors, Grace and Luping, driven by their search for the perfect skin solution and bolstered by their medical backgrounds. They believe that skincare is personal and so their products have been specifically crafted to manage Asian skin types and are suited for the humid, tropical climate of Singapore.

My very own concoction – Dermagold

This is my main skincare range. I only used my own toner but the rest are: (from left to right)
- Botanical Gel (link to blog post of Botanical Gel)
- HA Booster
- Radiance Cleansing Milk
- Sheer sunscreen
- Miracle C+ (link to blog post of Miracle C+)
- Hydra Recovery Gel

So, after cleansing with the Radiance Cleansing Milk daily, I use my own toner before reaching for the Miracle C+. After which I use my own eye cream and then go on to Botanical Gel (if I have any problematic spots), to HA Booster and Sheer Sunscreen (for daytime usage) and straight after Botanical Gel to the Hydra Recovery Gel at night.

Radiance Cleansing Milk

I was recommended the Radiance Cleansing Milk because of my sensitive skin. This cleansing milk is gentle to the skin and contains sea buckthorn, which is a power house of nutrients with multiple uses due to its protein building amino acids. Vitamins B1, B2, K, C, A, E and folic acid, over 60 antioxidants, healthy fatty acids, etc.

Miracle C+

Still one of my favourites, you may find out more about the Miracle C+ here!

Botanical Gel

The other favourite and can’t-live-without would be the Botanical Gel and this works like a miracle so find out more about what the Botanical Gel does for me here.

Hydra Recovery Gel

The Hydra Recovery gel was first introduced to me when we brought it along with us to our trip to Seoul last November. I have combination skin and it’s usually dry on the outside. The dryness tend to worsen whenever I get to a colder, dryer climate. The last trip to London got my skin cracking up every single day and I could not leave the hotels without my moisturizer in my bag and I reapplied it every hour. During our Seoul trip, J and I used it day and night and miraculously, I did not even need to reapply even though Seoul was much colder and dryer than London! There is aloe vera gel and aqua (water) among other ingredients which hydrates and calms dry, inflamed, scalded and sunburnt skin! I now use the Hydra Recovery gel only at night or after a long day under the scorching sun.

HA Booster

The HA Booster is 100% pure Hyaluronic acid which will boost skin hydration and suitable for all skin types, especially skins showing signs of aging. I love the effect of the HA Booster because the texture feels very light and watery-like yet my skin is hydrated with just one pump every morning! I never leave home without the HA Booster too!

Sheer Sun Protector

I have been on a lookout for suitable sunscreen for my skin and stopped my search ever since I started using the Sheer Sun Protector. It looks creamy because of its colour and but the texture feels otherwise. It is light on my sensitive skin and doesn’t whiten my skin like some other sunscreen I had used before. There is no ‘sunscreen fragrance’ and provides my skin with a protective layer from the harmful UV rays. I never leave home without the Sheer Sun Protector too!

Dermagold has launched their online store and it's super convenient to purchase my skincare products now! Head down to www.dermagold.sg to have purchase yours! :)

I'll also be doing a giveaway on one of the Dermagold products on my IG (@limaranagustina) so do look out for it and stand a chance to win one of the items from my concoction! Have fun and all the best! :D

Feel free to email me if you have any enquiries about the products! Or you may also drop by at Hadara Aesthetics Boutique to try the products too.

Hadara Aesthetics Boutique 

23 Lor Telok

Singapore 049035 

Contact number: 6969 3022 

Opening hours: 

Mon-Fri: 10am to 8pm 

Sat: 10am to 2pm 

Closed on Sun and PH 

Website: www.dermagold.sg

Email: info@hadaraaesthetics.com

Beauty Talk - Revile Laser at Prive Vitale

Friends who know me well enough will know that I have very sensitive skin. I had tried IPL twice and my face would break out into small bumps within the same week. I would get hives when too much pressure is applied on my skin, especially during extraction. I shunned away at any idea of doing laser on my skin.
Revlite Laser at Prive Vitale

It was until I met the very gorgeous Dr Karen Soh during my first visit. She assessed my condition and I told her my fears and concerns. She decided that I should do a test session before my first session and when everything was cleared within the next few days, she gave the go-ahead.
So what is Revile Laser?
Revlite Laser is a non-invasive treatment that uses light energy to gently stimulate natural collagen growth, minimizes pores, remove irregular pigmentation and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
How is it done?
The procedure is safe, simple, comfortable and fast. I always make my appointments in between my pt sessions so I usually head out of the clinic within 15 mins, which will include cleansing and preparation for the treatment. The laser beam will be directed towards the area of concern, heating the deeper layers of the skin.
Which areas can be treated?
I consider this more like a weekly facial treatment for me as it can be done on the undereyes and face. Also, it can be done on your hands and body, practically anywhere that is exposed to the sun.

One day post Revlite laser after the 6th session

I have raved about how affordable and effective this laser treatment is to my friends especially after they had actually noticed the minimizing of my pore sizes after 4-5 sessions and I really think its a great investment for ladies who are looking at getting a quick-fix during lunch time because there is no downtime at all and Prive Vitale is very conveniently located at the CBD area!
30 Raffles Place #02-25 Chevron House Singapore 048622
Tel: 6535 3328 Mobile: 9171 3328 www.privevitale.com www.facebook.com/privevitale
Opening hours: Mon-fri: 10am to 8pm Sat: 10am to 2pm Sun/PH: CLOSED

Beauty Talk – Hadara Derma-calm Facial

My skin has always been very thin and sensitive I’m always very skeptical about going for facials because I’ve had an outbreak of hives once after extraction was done. My entire face was swollen, red and it was itching so bad I will never forget that unpleasant experience. Since then, the thought of going for facial still scares me sometimes.

After having used Dermagold during our Seoul trip last year, I decided to go ahead and give the Derma-calm Facial a shot after consulting the doctor (and co-owner of Dermagold) and it was to be customized according to the needs and condition of my current skin. Besides, all products that are used during the facial are Dermagold skincare, which immediately puts my mind at ease.

The Hadara Experience


We were greeted with an uplifting Hadara signature scent upon entering the boutique. It is a blend of organic aromatic oils especially concocted for Hadara in collaboration with a clinical herbalist. This signature scent never fails to soothe my senses and brings my mind to a complete relaxation mode, ready for a good ‘sleep’! :P

The therapist then ushered me into one of the rooms to get ready for my facial.

Hadara Derma-calm Facial (60min)

This facial is calming and soothing, specially designed for sensitive skin like mine. It was sooo good I fell deep asleep, undisturbed almost throughout.

1. Skin is first cleansed, followed by a award-winning scrub (Harpers Bazaar most gentle scrub award 2014).

2. Very simple extraction was arranged for me with minimal pain I could almost sleep through.

3. My skin was then soothed with a cold hammer therapy and recovery gel to restore and calm down the sensitive areas right after the extraction. This was my second favourite part!

4. After the cold hammer therapy, this is my favourite part of the facial (actually maybe I have another favourite part at the last part of the facial too!)! The therapist used an air-spray called Cleopine Air-spray. The Cleopine ampoules and air spray are invented by a Korean doctor. It is manufactured using a patented technology and it is FDA approved as a food substance. (it can be sprayed safely into the mouth too!)

Cleopine ampoule are especially suitable for sensitive skin and is penetrated into the skin using a special nano-technology air spray.

What is Cleopine made of?
- fermented peptides from mushrooms grown in korea 

- nutrient extracts from pine trees in Korea 

- high quality mineral salt 


Benefits of Cleopine: 
- whitening 

- anti-aging 

- anti-wrinkle 

- moisturising 

- improved skin tone 


Hadara Sparkling Eye Therapy (30min) 


The next part of the facial is the Eye Therapy and is especially suitable for people like me with tired eyes or people who uses the mobile phone and laptops for long hours.

Benefits:
- Stimulates blood flow to the skin, muscles and capillaries in the areas around the eyes, helping to drain excess fluids, reduce sagging areas, tone the muscles and nourish new cell growth. De-stressing the muscles that cause crow’s feet. 

- Activates the pressure points around the eye sockets to help release tension in the visual system and increase the flow of life energy to the eyes. 

- Enhances penetration of products into the skin for maximal effectiveness 


The last part of the facial includes a mask and super-good massage!

I really like the fact that my therapist did not leave me alone at all times. I hate it when I go for facials and have to wait alone helplessly (especially after the machines used had stopped beeping). Over at Hadara, my therapist made sure I was not left alone for more than 2-3 mins. I was attended to all the time, and the session ended right on time (very important for me as I always have pt sessions planned before and after), I cannot afford to let the session overrun without me pre-empting my clients. So thumbs up! :D

The final clean and fresh look of my skin (minus the slight redness due to sensitive skin, which cleared up within the same day). My day continued after the facial, without having to deal with people staring at a red and swollen, freshly-out-of-facial face or people asking me what happened to my face! I love it! ☺

We quickly grabbed a photo with the beautiful owners of Hadara before we left for work too!

Exclusive promotions

Because you have all been soon supportive, there is some exclusive discount just for all of you! :D

1) 8% OFF Dermagold Sensitive Skin System
This system consists of:
- Delicate Skin Cleansing Mousse
- Delicate Skin Toner
- Miracle C+ (star product of Dermagold with 18% Vitamin C)
- HA Booster (100% Hyaluronic Acid)
- Hydra Recovery Gel [won award for: NUYOU Suncare Awards 2015 - After Suncare (Face) and SHAPE Suncare Awards Aftersun Care For Face (Most Moisturising)]

Validity: Valid till 30 September 2015

2) Purchase 3 Hadara Customised Facials for S$399 (U.P. S$450) AND receive 3 x S$50 Hadara Cash Voucher
Hadara Customised Facials include:
- Hadara Power Facial (whitening / anti-aging)
- Hadara Acne Clear Facial (acne)
- Hadara Derma-calm Facial (sensitive)

Validity: Valid till 30 September 2015

There is also a special promotion for all tertiary students and more details can be found on Hadara's Facebook page! :)

Specially designed for Singaporean skin, Hadara provides a very good range of Dermagold skincare which I love very much! Do pop by and grab a few to try if you are around the area!

Hadara Aesthetic Boutique 

23 Lorong Telok #01-01 

Singapore 049035
 

Contact number: 6969 3022
 

Email: info@hadaraaesthetics.com 

Website: www.hadaraaesthetics.com 

For other promotions and giveaways, feel free to like the Facebook page of Hadara and Dermagold, and follow them on Instagram, @dermagold_sg and @hadara_sg too! :D

Health & Beauty Talk – Collagen in our body

[Sponsored post]

I learnt from a beauty course I attended years ago (before I even knew about aging) that women’s skin actually start aging as young as 18 years old. That really scared the shit out of me because I was 21 years old then and had wasted 3 years of not doing anything. So I started becoming very conscious and spent so much money on products that contain collagen, mainly application, trying to prevent my skin from premature aging.

So, what is collagen?

Collagen is a protein found in our bones, teeth and muscles that supports cellular activity. 70% of skin is made up of collagen that helps keep our skin firm and bouncy.

Just as we associate collagen to the pillars supporting our skin or acts like the spring in a mattress, when the supporting pillars sag or springs wear out, the “padding” of skin dissipates; which means there will be loss of firmness and wrinkles starts to appear. Recent research also proves that we start losing collagen even in our twenties or earlier.

Losing collagen will make our skin lose its elasticity and have wrinkles, just like a withered apple. The more collagen we lose, the older we will look!

Where can we get collagen? 

Collagen can be found in cows, fishes, chicken, pigs, seaweed and can be extracted from the skin, bone, cartilage or scale. In most sources, there is a challenge of extraction technology, molecular size and absorption capability so research have shown that there is a good amount of quality collagen in deep sea marine fishes with the most appropriate molecular size for absorption by our body.

Kinohimitsu Collagen Diamond 5300mg Drink

For the longest time, I have been trying to look for a good collagen drink as it is not only safe for consumption but is easily digested and absorbed by the cells in our body. Years of getting collagen applied to my skin have proven little effect and age is catching up. #truestory

With Kinohimitsu Collagen Diamond 5300mg, I can now look forward to hydrated skin, tighter pores, lesser fine lines, radiant and glowing skin! Not only does it offers you all the beauty benefits, do you know that collagen actually helps with your health too? It’s been proven to help with joint and bone health, as collagen is one of the most necessary amino acids and one of the major connective tissue in the body.

I was glad to be introduced the Kinohimitsu Diamond series and happy to give it a shot because of these reasons:
- Only collagen brand that is SGS tested (no additives, no hormones, no preservatives, no chemicals, no artificial colouring)
- Ingredients extracted through advanced technology
- Sugar free (sweetness from fruit’s extracts)
- Collagen from deep sea marine fishes’ scales (that means it’s pure, high quality & that explains why It’s so great tasting and that there’s no fishy taste)
- Ingredients are carefully formulated to ensure our body can absorb properly
- Molecular size of collagen peptide is small enough for easy absorption by our body

Also, do you know that Kinohimitsu products are 100% natural? 

So, I decided to give the Diamond Nite to mummy and take the one in the day since I have a habit of taking my supplements first thing in the morning. I love how the taste is so yummy and that it’s not too sweet (I could drink more than 1 bottle just for the taste!). Mummy takes the Diamond Nite and she’s loving the taste of it too! Its also amazing how the results are almost immediate and I’m already planning to get my next batch of supplies! 

In fact, Kinohimitsu Diamond Nite is the first collagen drink in the market that helps you to sleep better while repairing your skin at the same time! Sleep time is very important as this is the time when your skin starts to renew and repair damaged skin cells. With the added ingredient - Manuka Honey, it helps reduce inflammation and promote effective healing and rejuvenation too! 

Best of all, I’m very surprised to see changes in my skin suppleness (though it may be slight)! My skin feels slightly tighter and the crow feet are starting to show less! Super stoked and very very impressed! Okay you may not be able to see much difference (I know) but I can totally feel it so thumbs up! :D 

Good news! 

So, only for my readers, you get 30% off your total purchase when you quote ‘limaranxkino’ at checkout here! (http://kinohimitsu-eshop.com/) This is only valid till 31st May 2015 so hurry get yours! I’m already planning for my next month’s supply! :P 

Another good (or even better) news! 

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Kinohimitsu and stand a chance to win ONE YEAR supply of Kinohimitsu Diamond Series and Goldheart diamond pendants! 

Facebook 

1. Like Kinohimitsu Singapore (https://www.facebook.com/KinohimitsuSingapore) 

2. Like the post 

3. Share a selfie of yourself and your mother in the comments part of the contest post and tell them what is the BEST BEAUTY TIP your mother has shared with you. 

4. Tag two of your friends in the post 

5. Share the post on your Facebook wall 

Instagram 

1. Follow us on Instagram @KinohimitsuSG 

2. Like our contest post 

3. Share a selfie of yourself and your mother and tell us what is the BEST BEAUTY TIP your mother has shared with you. 

4. Tag @KinohimitsuSG and hashtag #KinohimitsuSG and #KinohimitsuCelebrates 

*Accounts have to be made public to be eligible for this contest 

2 grand winners will stand a chance to walk away with one year supply of Kinohimitsu Diamond Series and a set of Goldheart Diamond Pendant each (total worth $2,000) Contest ends on 10th May 2015, 11.59PM. 

3 consolation winners will walk away with Kinohimitsu hampers worth too. Good luck everyone! I will definitely hope to get ONE YEAR SUPPLY of Kinohimitsu Diamond Series! :P

Beauty Talk - Vitamin C for healthy skin

Many of us take Vitamin C orally, be it chewable or tablets regularly, but how many of us actually realized that our skin needs Vitamin C when very little of the oral Vitamin C reaches the skin when orally ingested.  Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation and environmental pollutants can accelerate skin aging by degrading collagen and triggering oxidative stress in the skin. Fortunately, the anti-aging benefits of a time-honored remedy used by ancient civilizations to heal their skin can help overcome these undesirable effects. Vitamin C is an essential component in the body’s production of collagen and a potent antioxidant that can help rejuvenate aged and photo damaged skin.  When incorporated into your daily skincare lineup, well-formulated products containing vitamin C can provide a range of benefits that keep your skin younger-looking, longer!  Some of the benefits of C: 

• Reduce the appearance of brown spots and other types of sun damage
• Helps boost healthy collagen production (hello, firmer skin!) 
• Reduce inflammation and irritation, both of which cause a cascade of damage 
• Fade post-breakout red marks by improving skin’s natural healing response 
• Increase the effectiveness of your sunscreens and boosts your skins defense against UV exposure

Dermagold Miracle C+

The star product of Dermagold, Miracle C+ is a silky smooth high performance concentrated 18% Vitamin C Ester serum. Multi-functioning product with anti-oxidant, anti-age, anti-pigment, anti- inflammatory and anti-wrinkle properties. Formulated in a base of hyaluronic acid to boost, protect and restore skin. Another good news is that it is so suitable for oil control!

The texture is light and smooth so I really love it! It contains ingredients like organic herbal infusion, aloe vera, jojoba oil, etc and is paraben-free!

Well the good news is that you can win a dual prize for whiter and brighter skin which includes the Dermagold Miracle C+ ($69) and a Hadara Essential Facial ($98) (worth a total of $167).

All you need to do is:

1. Like Dermagold.sg (www.facebook.com/Dermagold) Facebook page 
2. Like and share this post (Only public shares valid) 
3. Tag 3 friends and Tell us why you would like to win the prizes in the comments box below this post

Contest ends 12 April 2015. Winners will be announced here on Dermagold's Facebook page on 20 April 2015. Good luck! :P

*Do note only public shares and those living in Singapore are eligible

Beauty & Lifestyle Talk – NIVEA Extra white & Firm Q10 deodorent

[Sponsored post]

Underarm care has always been an important issue for me since young. I was born with more hair on my body so since I was in secondary school, being the conscious and very vain me, I resorted to shaving the underarms and unfortunately, plucking too. As I was growing up, I had tried waxing (which was painful) and finally found IPL, though I did not start the treatment until I started working because of the costs. Even then, after years of shaving and plucking, the skin at my underarm darkened and started to sag.

I started using anti-perspirant and deodorant ever since I experienced the first female body odour (of a stranger in the bus on my journey to TP) and vowed never to smell like that in my life. I have been changing brands until 4-5 years ago, I tried NIVEA and stopped switching brands (only switched range).

NIVEA (more than a 100 years of history) 

NIVEA, a German, trusted and credible brand, is one that focuses on skin care for face, body and underarms. NIVEA also believes in caring for the skin and that having healthy skin equates to having beautiful skin.

With the deodorant as the biggest category of the brand, NIVEA has been the number one deodorant in Singapore and expectedly, the whitening range is the best seller in the past 4 years. NIVEA is the first brand to launch the invisible range that leaves no stain on your clothes and has whitening variants to target darkened skin.



NIVEA Extra white & Firm Q10 deodorant launch






“Get fairer and firmer underarms with all day freshness.
 Now, you won’t be caught off-guard in any situations.” 








I was privileged to be able to attend the new product launch which was held at Food for thought on 31st January 2015, together with many other female bloggers. The venue was brightly and beautifully decorated in blue and white!

We were cleared of some common underarm myths and more information of this new NIVEA Extra white & firm Q10 deodorant. For the first time, this deodorant has a firming ingredient present in skincare: co-enzyme Q10 to help firm up saggy skin! Also, this new NIVEA deodorant contains licorice extract, which is a whitening ingredient (solves darkened skin). It also functions as an all-day anti-perspiration action to protect from sweat and odour and has long lasting protection (48 hours) against sagginess and darkening.

Mongchin and I were then invited to share about our usual underarm care routine and some underarm horror stories.

Shandy must have said something hilarious!

More photos while waiting for our food to be served!

With the gorgeous Valerie, Sheila and Mongchin!

WE ARE GETTING BRAVE!

NIVEA Extra white & Firm Q10 deodorant (50ml) is retailing at $4.90 and available at Watsons, Guardian, Super/hypermarkets and major retailer stores. Its not expensive to smell and feel good after all so no excuse right? :D

For more information, you may head to the facebook page as well: https://www.facebook.com/NIVEA.sg