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 and Fitness talk – Facial Fitness PAO

(Sponsored post)

Many times, we talk about keeping fit and working out to keep fit and look good. However, whenever it comes to beauty, the first things that come to my mind is often skincare regime, makeup products and aesthetic enhancements. Never would I have imagined that I would be introduced to gadgets that will promote facial fitness (even with the knowledge that we all have facial muscles). 

Then comes the question: Do you work your facial muscles (like how you work other body parts)? 

Facial Fitness PAO

MTG Pacific Pte Ltd (MTG Singapore) originated in Japan and is committed to bringing out everyone’s maximum potential, through products that complement a healthy lifestyle, and encourage beauty, the natural way. Since its inception in 1996, MTG has been innovative in creating attractive-looking products, bridging the business domains of “Beauty” and “Wellness”. In Japan, the ReFa series (which Jason will be covering in his blog) has sold over 2.5 million units, making it extremely popular!

So what is this gadget all about? Facial Fitness PAO or PAO for short may look funny but a lot of research and work had been done to produce such a gadget to work on the (more than) 40 individual muscles that are responsible for a wide range of emotions that our face make daily. Similar to our bodily muscles, our facial muscles will weaken over time and age, causing us to have wrinkles and droopy expressions.

All you need to do is to put the mouth piece (without the casing, of course) into your mouth and hold it with your lips. After which, bob your head to swing it up and down rhythmically for 30 seconds. All you need is twice a day, or more if you want to. The colourful plates are actually weights (similar concept to progressive overload when you workout) that you can slowly progress with.

3 technologies:
1. Resonance Movement
By just nodding your head up and down, you can swing the weighted ends of the bar extending from the mouthpiece. This resonance movement, generated by the up and down motion of the head produces the a force (load) that exercises facial muscles.

2. Technical Distance The part that you hold between your lips extends 30mm from the center of the bar. Maintaining this slight distance from the exerciser serves to intensify the force applied to the facial muscles.

3. Mouth Hold The “Mouth Hold” refers to the part of the mouthpiece that you clamp between your lips. It is designed to effectively stimulate the muscles with the force delivered to the orbicularis oris muscle.

PAO and us

Jason and I started using PAO for about a month religiously, until we found out that we were using it wrongly. We were biting it with our teeth instead of holding the mouth piece with our lips. We managed to clarify with the partners and corrected the usage and started seeing visible changes and feeling the soreness physically!

After some getting used to, Jason started to increase his sessions up to a min each time. After which Jason managed to feel much more soreness and difference on double chin area. Wheareas for me, I felt a lot of soreness and more difference on the cheeks and jaw. We tried using PAO for a total of 2 months and here are our results! Apologies for the bad photoshop of the background (oops!) but no other editing/photoshop was done besides the background and removal of some pimples!

There was not drastic changes to our face shapes but if you notice, our smile lines were kind of lifted (which makes it easier to smile now)! Well, we were using PAO effectively and correctly only for a month or so then. We shall continue using it and see if there will be more visible differences from when we first started! :)

Jason and I also love how it comes with a pouch and we brought it to Seoul so we could use it while on holiday, like how we would still look for gyms and workout during holidays. We strongly believe that just like having a good physique, maintaining a youthful look requires time and effort as well. Best of all, you can use it anywhere at your convenience!

Feel free to find out more on http://www.mtg-sg.com and quote “JLnetwork” for a discount of 5% on any product!

Beauty Talk - Beauty from within

Beauty Talk – Beauty from within

I have always had a problem area on my face since the aging started getting more visible as the years go by – the fine lines under my eyes, and the sunken cheeks, making my eye trough deeper and thus I looked very tired all the time. Having said that, I never thought I could do anything about it, until Dr Lim came to my rescue.

Went together with Jason to consult Dr Lim from Trinity Medical Centre (Marine Parade). He advised me to fill the cheeks up slightly and in the same process, puffen the under eye area and lessen the visibility of my fine lines and sunken eye trough.

So what is this Restylane?

Restylane is a FDA-approved dermal filler made of biodegradable, non- animal stabilised hyaluronic acid (NASHA). Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in all living organisms and provides volume and fullness to the skin.

This was a photo taken earlier this year before I visited Dr Lim, as you can see, I have slight fine lines around my under eye and sunken on my upper cheeks. I used to be very conscious when I smiled because I was afraid to expose the fine lines under my eyes and it affected my confidence level when in front of a camera, in fact, I ended up taking more photos not smiling at all.

I’m very pleased with the results now! I look less tired and am more confident than ever especially because I love to smile! :D

Feel free to comment if you have any burning questions about fillers or email me if you are shy! I’m more than wiling to share my experience! J

Trinity Medical Centre

87 Marine Parade Central

#02-500A

Singapore 440087

Tel: 6344 0027

Hair Talk - Salon Vim

Thanks to Salon Vim, I have had manageable hair since 2 years ago. Now that I've jumped into the bandwagon, I feel obliged to share with you the wonderful hair services that I've been pampered with since I've been visiting Salon Vim.

I met my new stylist, Ivan last month and he carefully diagnosed the main problem of my scalp. It had dead skin coagulated over the years so during my first consultation with Ivan, he pointed out this scalp treatment that I must do, which included a relaxing massage by Julia. I couldn't ask for more, especially when I had been having constant neck aches, the massage came at the right time.

After the scalp treatment, my hair was ready for my first coloring! Ivan recommended warm brown base with honey brown ombre since it was my first time and I had wanted safer colors to start with. I must say, it's really addictive seeing these colors on my hair now I'm craving for more now. LOL! So tadah! Here's the result after another treatment after the hair color is completed!

Right after that, I don't know how this picture turned out so dreamy..

Ivan gave me some products to try too, for my scalp, and coloured hair mask and serum.

Just when you think your hair will look different after you wash the next day, well, turned out my hair looks even better the following day!

Weeee! So happy with the results! I went back to Ivan 2 weeks later to get my roots rebounded. This time I remembered what treatment was given to me! The treatment was done right after my rebonding.

Smallest orange tub - for deep penetration of nutrition, anti-dryness, provision of protein substance and increment of nutrition level

Maroon/purple bottle - adding of constitutive substance to hair and makes hair denser and thicker

Green Masque Force Architecte - mask for brittle and damaged hair 

I think I look very cool here no? 

We had a chat with Gary since we were the last to go, and took a last shot with Gary before we ended the night! I'm looking forward to my next appointment in the new salon! Whhoooop!

Do remember to quote 'Limaran' to get 10% selected hair services!

Salon Vim

@Somerset 313

313 Orchard Road

#04-07/08/09 Somerset 313

Singapore 238895

For appointments, call 6884 7757 / 6884 7767!

@Bugis

235 Victoria Street

Singapore 188027

For appointments, call 6837 0073 / 6837 0045!

Health & Nutrition - Health & Beauty Tips

I hope the week is going fine for everyone. I'm back to share 5 quick health and beauty tips, as promised! Will share more along the way too.

Tip #1: Put a slice of lemon in your everyday water bottle.

Try to drink your water warm if you can. Having a tinge of sour in your water actually has a lot of wonderful benefits! Here are some.

- Improves your immune system

- Aids digestion #truestory

- Cleanses your system

- Freshens your breath

- Helps to detox your body of toxins

Tip #2: Drink green tea.

Green tea helps to boost your metabolism! Try replacing your daily coffee with green tea instead.

Tip #3: Cup of black coffee for your pre workout energy boost.

Personally, I find it difficult to quit coffee. So, I'm making full use of this caffeine-addiction to fuel my workout sessions. I used to have a cuppa mid-day but I replaced that mid-day cuppa with green tea and have simple black coffee (no sugar no cream) before my workouts. How black coffee helps?

- Accelerates fat loss 

- Improves focus and performance

- Decreases muscle pain

- Makes me perspire more

Tip #4: Try Accupressure Therapy.

I tend to have quest stomach after meals so this really helps soothe it! Use your index and middle fingers to press down on the groove between the tendons that run from the base of your palm to your wrist. Keep massaging and pressing it down for 1-3 minutes. Really helpful especially when you have to sit down for a next 4-5 hours after lunch everyday.

- Relieves queasy stomach after meals

- Detoxify your body for better health and beauty

Tip #5: Avoid alcohol.

Okay, people who have 'grown up' with me will know that I used to drink and party more, especially when I was still working for RB. Since I embarked on this fitness journey, I have managed to stay alcohol-free and I'm very happy and proud about it. My friends have all given up persuading me to even take a sip. Alcohol is toxic to your body and the thought of having it flowing in my body disgusts me (no offence). Alcohol reduces your body's ability to burn fats up to 73% and ultimately cause weight gain. 

So, I'll be back with more tips!

Here are some updates in photos from the last week and past few days.

Soupspoon with Jasmine last week

Simba the cutie!

Simba enjoying my company. HURHUR

Love how versatile this pair of Olsen oxfords is! Get yours from Love, bonito!

Close-up of Love, Bonito's Olsen oxfords.

Again here, http://www.lovebonito.com/3675-olsen-oxford-shoes.html

Outfit for Love, bonito's Tea Party last weekend

With the bosses and the rest of the girls 

Rachel & Viola - The inspiring owners of Love, bonito

Sweet Nicole, thanks so much for all the trouble!

Pretty Charmaine & April 

Designed by Julien Fournie, thanks Love, bonito!

Selling these 2 mascaras urgently so do email or comment if you would like to purchase from me! I unboxed both last friday to try and realised it doesn't work on my stubborn lashes! 

Good night everyone! I hope you enjoyed the tips! Till then! :)