Lancaster Softening Perfect Toner

I know this is a toner related post, I was just thinking, what if some folks out there do not wish to use a whitening toner, then how?

Aha!

I got this bottle from Lancaster for free. It smells really nice, some light floral scent and this softens as it cleans plus it contains NO ALCOHOL. Leaving my skin innocently moist, silky soft and clean. :)))

I love a clean face, any time of the day.

Love how just a little bit of this on the centre of my cotton pad goes a long way... plus it cools down my skin, even though it does not contain mint nor has it been placed in the fridge. :))

400ml of this going at $30odd I heard, very worthwhile. Please let me know of the actual price if you should find out. It is a very basic toner and I use it interchangably with the whitening one.

Rating: 7.5/10

Would I buy this again: Maybe, still prefer the whitening one.

Ease of Use: Super Easy.  

Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion

Hello Gorgeous!

Today I will be reviewing this product, totally made in Japan. I need to confess something, at first I was going to give this product a not so good review, as I applied the product on wrongly. Yah... I know right? I sound like a kultz, when I have prided myself on being an "expert" at these things, I mean, applying a product on the face only mah.... need skill one meh??? Hahhahahaha.... how wrong I was!!

Oh well.... you learn as you grow... you just keep learning. And I love learning, it keeps me young and active, mentally. This 170ml bottle costs under S$20 and is exclusively sold at all good Watsons stores. It is said that one drop locks up an ocean worth of moisture and Habo Labo is an award-winning brand in Japan, because its star product is just easy to use and absorbs real fast, in a matter of 10secs when applied correctly. It already has a cult following in Asia due to the adaptability of this product in climates within Asia.

When you use it, you will feel super moisturised even if you stay in an air-conditioned place for up to 12 hours as it offers x2 (double) the benefits of a normal moisturizing lotion / cream and it is water based, making it suitable for people with ultra sensitive skin as well as those who intend to go for a beach holiday / those staying in a tropical climate like ours and need more water based products to quench their skin, please know for a fact that if you do not moisturize your skin, over time, it will get more and more oily and you will suffer for it thru open / course pores, small bumps and pimples.

But if you are flying esp. long haul flights, this is not sufficient for you, unless you perpetually go to the toilets and "touch up" by feeding your skin with this regularly. Much less if you are heading to winter zones.... find a richer moisturizing cream... I would recommend in upcoming posts on what's great for winter zones and for long haul flights k? Akan datang.... hang in there.

How you apply this product???

This product with the consistency that is akin to water when it comes out. Well, simple.... you got to pour about 2 to 4 drops (literally) on your palm and spread it over in circles on your palm to evenly distribute the product and then pat PAT PAT Pat pat pat and pat some more till it is fully in your skin. Whatever residue, apply it on your neck. Please do not swipe or use some other method of applying this, else, you might just end up hating it as the stickiness will somehow stay put with any other method used. (I almost wanted to give away my first bottle because I applied it on wrong.) Please don't use cotton pads for this, just clean hands to pat in.

The initial feeling is stickiness.... yup, it gets all yikey and somewhat yucky but it does not have any smell, preservatives or additives so, it is all pure and good for you, bear with this part. Once it is absorbed...... perfect, calm and QQ skin is all you see, touch and feel.

I love it. I love how simple it is and how it gives lasting moisture.

Will I Buy this Again: Yes, as it gives value for money.

Rating: 8.5/10

Ease of Use: Need patience to keep patting it in.  

Toners - A Comparison Review Between Clarins and L'oreal

Hello Beautiful Ones!!

This post is a request by a close gf of mine who is now a fan of this humble blog. :))) Well, she did ask for a toner comparison post, something somewhat different from my usual postings of just reviewing one product or one brand at a time, but, hey, I am happy to oblige. So send in your requests after this post by simplying commenting. :)))

So I decided to compare whitening toners. Since I am currently trying to lighten my freckles. So a whitening toner is part of the package.

Let's start off with a basic whitening toner that everyone can afford - from industry mongul L'oreal. 200ml for S$14.50 only and available at Watsons, Guardian, Sasa, OG, Robinsons and all leading departmental stores. It claims to block off further freckle production and speed up the whitening process as it has Vitamin C added to its mix.

The thing with drugstore range of toners, including this one, is the need to really check the ingredients and ensure that NO ALCHOL is added in. Because, long gone are the days that alchol should be used to tone and "seal" up our pores as it is bad for skin... seriously, it ends up "thinning" our skin instead of nourishing it. SO CHECK CHECK CHECK k?

When I used this toner, it honestly did nothing much for me, in terms of whitening, it did not live up to its claims in many ways. The fragrance was quite good, mild. It did the job of what a basic toner should, to clean away the last residue of any makeup or dirt. Other than that, it did nothing much for me, I got this bottle of toner free from L'oreal but, seriously... I think the formula needs improvement. But if you are starting out on your skincare journey and want something basic, this is good enough. L'oreal is now made in China.

As we should use a makeup remover, followed by a facial cleanser and then use a toner before slapping on the potent stuffs like serums, essence, and creams or else, the serums, essence and creams will all go to waste so good thorough cleansing is a MUST, cannot be haphazard about it, no matter how tired you are.

I got the above Clarins whitening set recently. But I shall review just the Whitening Pure Aqua Lotion which is their toner here. Well, the GREAT SINGAPORE SALE started and i made headway by getting this set at Robinsons Centrepoint, very worth while. Saved 30%.

Clarins has always been at the forefront of advocating botanical usage in ALL their products, and fragance is mild and acceptable. 

Their whitening toner costs $65 for 200ml... quite a huge difference from the L'oreal's one. BUT IT WORKS JUST AFTER THE FIRST APPLICATION. The entire area which you apply the toner on, looks even, moist and WHITE... ok, not white as sheet white rather super fair.

So, I am just into my first bottle and I already love it so much. I am a convert, cos I used to not buy whitening toners but this one, made in france, is suitable even for Asian skin.

Clarins has an ongoing sale now as it is the GSS. So go and buy now!! As for my close friend, well, I think we are going shopping soon, she can use my clarins membership for better prices if she wants to get this.

Rating: Loreal (7/10) VS Clarins (9/10)
Will I Buy it Again: Loreal (No) VS Clarins (YES!!)
Ease of Use: Just pour some on cotton pad and pat in or swipe upwards when applying.