Smooch-worthy lips the organic way! Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm

Want some lucious lips?

If you've read my post on how to get soft lips, you would know that I have really dry and chapped lips.

Here's another problem, my lips were perpetually in a sickly colour. They were dull and pale and all my friends either thought I was sick or really tired. So I turned to tinted lip balms. I figured they would be able to give me the moisture and nutrients a lip stick wouldn't have as much, and yet deliver the same colour as one.

I decided go organic for my lip balms as the thought of swallowing all those chemicals 24/7 weren't exactly appealing. So I headed to Sephora to try out the Burt's Bees range of lip balm after seeing them all around. I chose their Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom because it wasn't too glossy or shiny or too matt. Just about nice.

Simple and clean packaging does it:

The bullet may seem really red, but the application is light so multiple applications is fine and your lips will be more moisturised.

Here's how it looks like on my lips after three or four applications:

This lip balm has really given me much smoother and healthy looking lips, they're actually of a pinker shade now! It is not expensive and will not cost more than any other lip balm you will find in Sephora, it cost me about 15 dollars if I remember correctly. The only downside would be how easily the colour fades, So I usually have to reapply multiple times in a day especially after meals. Other than that, this is easily my favourite tinted lip balm. Burt's Bees all the way!

What do you think of Burt's Bees? Any other favourite lip balms? Share your experiences with us! 

Love, 

Lois

Fight blemishes! Clinique anti-blemish solutions spot treatment gel

You want perfectly clear skin. So do I. But face it, no one has perfect clear skin, unless you're good at photoshop or you're a baby. Even If you can't get exactly that, you can get close. And the little bottle of wonder is going to help you clear your skin of nasty spots and blemishes.

The Queen of blemish treatment 

I have been using the product for years. I'm not that old, and it has helped me tremendously through my growing teenage years when my skin was as its worst.

The Clinique Anti-blemish Solutions Spot Treatment Gel is helps reduce blemishes and promote healing. It also soothes irritation, redness. This product contains Salicylic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, hence it may be a little drying and to be used only on problems areas and not your entire face! Also, some may feel a slight stingy effect when applied, I have it sometimes too but it goes away as quickly as it comes. I assume it's the acid working, however, if you have sensitive skin, do check with your doctor or dermatologist first. I'm not sure if this was made for sensitive or irritable skin.

The best way I feel this should be used is when you feel a spot or a pimple coming out or when a whitehead seems to be getting bigger. Or after squeezing out said white/black head. Dab on a drop of the gel (enough to cover the problem spot), a thin film will cover the area and it will appear dry. This gel works really well to prevent (not sure about curing) full blown pimples or inflammation for me.

I also use this on other parts of my body such as the décolleté and my back when I feel angry bumps there. Once I've applied the gel, it usually never has a chance to erupt.

Clinique promises for it to be invisible under or over make up. And it delivers. Make up can sometimes clog pores ad cause breakouts, so I always apply this on the oilier parts of my skin or potential acne spots before doing my make up. After applying concealer and powder and the rest, you will not see the gel at all. Heck, even without make up, it's nearly invisible. So putting on make up has been a less guilty affair for me with a thin protective film.

It comes in a really small bottle of 15ml but trust me, one bottle can last for a long time. I use it very liberally twice or more a day and it lasts for a few months. For normal usage, it can probably last at least half a year.

I use this with the rest of Clinique's anti-blemish range and I'm seriously loving it. It doesn't come cheap (It sells at £13.50 for 15ml on the Clinique website) but this is worth every penny. I don't think I'll stop using this for a long time to come unless a natural, organic product of the same quality comes out.


What are your thoughts on the spot treatment gel? Does it work as well for you?


Love,
Lois

The one beauty regime you cannot live without

Despite the whole plethora of beauty products available now, and the sheer amount of bottles of beauty products you have on your vanity table. Whether it's moisturizing, toning, overnight masks, there'll always be one kind of beauty regime we cannot make do without.

For me, it's the these 3 babies in the picture below (from left to right):



















1. Clinique anti-blemish solutions spot treatment gel

2. Clinique anti-blemish solutions cleansing foam

3. Clinique anti-blemish solutions clarifying lotion


For me it's always cleanse, tone, and dot the blemish gel onto my problem spots. I do this routine at least twice a day.

Oh and have I written about how amazing that small bottle of blemish gel is yet? No? Alright, stay tuned for a review of this little baby because it's one of my absolute favorites!

I usually skip the moisturizer, because I haven't found a good one yet that's suitable for my slight oily skin. Once in every few days, I'll throw in a moisturizing face mask though. Until then, my skin seems content with with this routine so I'll stick to it. If you have any good moisturizers to recommend do tell!


What's your must-do beauty routine? Any thoughts on mine? Share it! I'm really curious on this one. 


Love,
Lois

Get up! Get fit! : Amore Fitness Review

Sooo, whilst bumming around, waiting to enter university (still waiting), I decided to join a fitness club. I figured it was time for me to get fit and fab and the only time when I'd be free enough to make a gym membership worthwhile.

So I went around researching, visiting the different gyms in Singapore and finally decided on Amore Fitness.

Credits: Amore Fitness

Why? The biggest reason was the location of the gyms. I knew I would not travel just for a workout so it was important that I chose one nearest to me. They had one in Heartland Mall shopping centre, which is a mere 5 minutes walk away from where I live. Lucky me!

Also, Amore is an all ladies fitness club, except for 2 branches for males as well, so no worries about looking cute when you break a sweat girls!

Another of my favourite part of Amore would be the overall atmosphere of the club. Shower facilities are of excellent standard with towels provided and unlike other gyms, does not give off a crowded marketplace feel. I have not been to the branch at Tampines One but there is a heated infinity pool there which sounds simply heavenly. Going to the gym is now a relaxing, stress-relieving experience.

I decided on a 6 month membership. The sales assistant I had was not pushy at all which made me so happy because hard selling is a major put off for me.

For those of you who are new to fit was clubs, most clubs have a physical gym with workout machinery and offer classes as well from yoga to dance. Most ladies would be more interested in such classes rather than the weights available. I particularly enjoy the classes, with experienced and encouraging instructors.

I have been dancing for awhile so flexibility, strength and fitness wise I'm pretty good so the classes were not too difficult yet challenging enough. For a beginner to exercise, some classes may prove to be an uphill task. They do offer beginner classes for some types of class but not often and limited to location and timings. Hence, for a newbie to exercise, classes may be daunting. Everyone has a first, take it slow and steady, commit and it won't be long before you get there.

Here a summary of the review:

Hits

• Conveniently located
• All ladies, comfortable
• Relaxing, quiet ambience
• Excellent facilities
• Encouraging instructors

Misses

• Certain classes may be too challenging for beginners
• Limited class specially for beginners

Tips on getting a gym membership

• Research! Don't be afraid of pushy sales and personally go down to visit the gym 
• Commit
• Choose a gym which is located conveniently. If you think you will commute from work, choose one near work. From home? Opt for on near your house. You will not want to travel far frequently for exercise!
• Get a workout buddy! Exercising with friends can motivate you and is always more fun
• Read terms and conditions carefully

Getting a gym membership is a huge commitment. It is not cheap and regular trips down are required to make the membership worthwhile. I make a point to go down for a workout at least 5 times a week to make my money's worth.

I encountered a lack of substantial fitness club reviews, so making my decision wasn't an easy one. I hope this review was comprehensive enough to help you by! If you have any more questions, leave a comment!

What do you think of fitness clubs? Any good or bad experiences? Share them!


Love,
Missy Lois

Marshmallow Wonder: Bioré Marshmallow Whip Face Wash

I admit, I was initially doubtful of this product. I mean really, how does marshmallow whip face wash sound remotely good. Although it does have a cute design (I have a weakness for pastel pink).























My mum bought it for me to try it out and boy was I glad she did. Living up to it's name, the foam came out even and almost looking fluffy in one pump.

Just one pump was enough for cleanse my whole face. So it can last for awhile despite being a rather small bottle. Just use it as a normal face cleanser.

The formula is supposed to contain ultra fine bubbles, smaller than your pores, which penetrate deep into pores to remove impurities. It is also enriched with collagen to give baby smooth skin (although I'm skeptical about the benefit of collagen in all these products).

The effects? It cleanses well without drying out my skin which is of utmost importance to me since I have slightly oily skin. It's gentle enough for me to use a few times a day, and yet cleanses well enough. It's suitable for normal to combination skin.

The part I like about it, is that it comes with a refillable pack! So you won't be throwing away plastic bottle after plastic bottle. The refillable pack is cheaper than buying a new bottle anyway. It's so easy to use and gentle on the face yet effective, I foresee myself using this for a long time to come.

























What do you think of this face cleanser? Does it work for you? Let me know!


Love, 
Missy Lois