Spa Feel For Your Home

You do not have to rob a bank to make your home feel like a spa.

I have a confession to make.

Part of the reason I enjoy facials and spa treatments so much is to be able to walk out of the room “infused” with the beautiful smells of essential oils in my hair and clothes.

My top 3 favourite essential oils are: Ylang Ylang, Grapefruit and Lavender. I think that if you are one to frequent spas and facials, you should be very familiar with the divine aroma of Ylang Ylang. One whiff of Ylang Ylang sends me back to the relaxing moments spent in spa treatment rooms.

Another fav of mine is the grapefruit essential oil. It reminds me of freshly peeled oranges and happy times.

So I did a little research and found that citrus essential oils are used for their mood lifting effects, and their use in skin preparations helps to control excess sebum production.

I have always been against the use of candle-lit aromatherapy burners because I think of them as potential fire hazards. Till today, I have resisted buying them. I have kept my eyes open for electric aromatherapy burners but so far, I have not found one that has “form and function”.

So this is what I have been doing this weekend. I try to carry my little “spa” with me.

I found a shop selling scenting clays and I have also saved the small little mesh pouches that you get when you buy accessories from the shops.

The volatile essential oils are evaporated from the porous surfaces of the scenting clays. I have added grapefruit and ylang ylang essential oils to the clays, place them into my pretty pouches and hung them around my bedroom and bathroom.

Too bad that Christmas is over, I think the little scent-filled pouches make a nice thoughtful gift.

When I shop, I feel happy

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss

One of my absolute must-haves is the Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Petal 3 and Bright Pink. I usually apply the lip gloss directly on my lips. The lip gloss costs $33 each and you can get them from Bobbi Brown counters in Takashimaya, Isetan Scotts and Robinsons. 

Tip: Get 10% discount if you get them from Changi Airport Terminal 1 departure lounge DFS.

Why I love them:

• Jojoba Oils – Moisturizing properties
• Great colours – I have them in 2 shades: Petal 3 and Bright Pink. As my lips are darker in colour, these 2 shades brighten up my lips, without looking like I put on anything. I like:)
• Staying power – They have a stickier texture than other lip glosses I have tried. I like them this way because compared to the other watery types, Bobbi Brown lip glosses stay on for longer w/o reapplication
• Compact – It is only 8 cm and they can be popped easily into your pocket for ready touch-up.

Dermalogica Skin Exfoliant System Part A and B

This is an enzyme-based AHA exfoliation system designed to treat acne-prone skin with excessive oil production. Please note that this system may not be suitable for everyone. If you have been to Dermalogica facials and you have had this treatment used on you before, then most likely you can proceed to do this at home. If not, I would advise you to go for a professional Dermalogica treatment and see how your skin copes with this treatment. I would not recommend someone this treatment if they have not had this treatment before, neither would I recommend this treatment for those experiencing very severe acne and are on oral medication such as Retin-A, Renova or Adapalene. This treatment should be used in combination with other Dermalogica products for best results. In any case, ALWAYS consult a professional Dermalogica professional before embarking on any skincare regime.

 

Assessing your suitability for this treatment:

• Go to a Dermalogica professional or for a Dermalogica Salon Facial Treatment and
• Before beginning a series of treatments with Skin Exfoliant System, one can beging using Daily Microfoliant and Skin Renewal Booster at home for at least a week. If excessive peeling occurs with the Daily Microfoliant and Skin Renewal Booster, then your skin is not suitable for the Skin Exfoliant System…full stop

How Skin Exfoliant System Works:

• Lactic Acid – Retexturize the skin surface and stimulate cell renewal
• Salicylic Acid – Its micro-exfoliating action causes a sloughing of surface cells that are already old, leaving skin smoothing and with improved texture and translucence
• Papain – A digestive enzyme from Papaya to digest dead tissue
• Rice Bran and Rice Starch – Contains biologically active ingredients to aid in the gentle exfoliation of skin while helping to control melanin formation
• Aspergillus Ferment, Licorice Extract, Grapefruit Extract – Brightening and lighening properties
• Sulfur – Accelerates skin peeling and has a topically antiseptic action on the skin. Particularly works on skin prone to breakout and congestion
• Sodium PCA – A naturally-occuring humectant that helps to bind moisture to the skin.

 Steps to Use Skin Exfoliant System:

(1) Measure a scoop of Enzyme Part A. Scoop is provided with Enzyme Part A.

(2) Measure a teaspoon of Enzyme Part B. Use enough to turn the paste into a smooth creamy mixture.

(3) Stir Part A and Part B together into a smooth creamy mixture. Make sure it is not too watery.

(4) Apply to skin quickly. Avoid eye areas and lips. You will feel a tingling sensation. Leave on skin for 10 minutes until the mixture dry and set. Remove with sponges or a steam towel.

(5) For acne skin, apply Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque or Skin Hydrating Masque.

(6) Remove the masque, spritz on Soothing Protection Spray -> Gentle Soothing Booster -> Skin Hydrating Booster -> Oil Control Lotion

(7) Beauty Sleep

Get Dermalogica Skin Exfoliant System here.

Dermalogica Enzyme Exfoliation System - Instructions

Dermalogica Enzyme Exfoliation System

Enzyme Part A and B - Dermalogica Exfoliating System

DIY Series -Dermalogica Facials at Home

I will be embarking on a series on DIY Dermalogica Facials. Do not get me wrong…I still love the pampering with Salon Treatment but….You got to be really lucky to meet a good beautician who does not harass you to sign on additional packages (which you already have) and push over-priced products to you. I have had too many bad experiences so I know what I am talking about.

I would not recommend DIY for those highly congested skin with pus-acne. I think for those skin, it is still best to consult a professional or go to a Salon where they can handle the extraction properly. For myself, I have moderate acne with excessive oil production. I have been having really good results with the Enzyme Part A and Part B exfoliation, which I followed up with Sebum Clearing Masque and Skin Hydrating Masque to maintain. I do not extract my acne unless they are really ready to pop. What I notice about the Sebum Clearing Masque is that it can effectively absorb the congested impurities embedded beneath the skin and bring them to the surface. I have been using the Sebum Clearing Masque religiously everyday for 4 whole weeks and it really works. I love the cooling menthol which soothes the breakouts. Not only that, the mild salicylic acid in the masque helps to mildly exfoliate my skin and refine the pores. Even my mum commented that my skin has improved alot.

Personally, I understand the stresses and trauma of having problem skin. I think that if I have had good results personally, it’s important that people should know about them so they do not have to waste huge amounts of $$ for trial and error. (Yes, it can be really ex.)

So join me, as I will be dishing out tips and procedures on having your own exclusive Professional Dermalogica Facial at home. It’s easier than you think and without unscrupulous beauticians breathing down your neck. Make your $$ last longer by maintaining at home so you can space out your Salon Facials more effectively.

Dermalogica Facial @ Orchidee in Marine Parade

Recently, I went for facial at Orchidee in Marine Terrace. It was my first visit to Orchidee, thereby entitling me to a discount of 30% off my first facial treatment. First, I was asked to fill out a form containing questions about my skin profile, lifestyle, allergies and existing skin care regimen. The beauty consultant for my facial was Aili and after a small chat with her, she ushered me to the treatment room where I changed into a gown. Upon analysing my skin, she recommended to me the Medibac Facial Treatment and she proceeded to do the following to my skin:

1. Cleansing with Precleanse – To remove any existing makeup. She massaged Precleanse on my skin after which she then added some water to convert the Precleanse on my skin into a milky emulsion before removing the Precleanse with 2 moist sponges.

2. Cleansing with Medibac Cleansing Gel

3. Exfoliation with Enzyme Part A and Part B – She applied the enzyme mixture evenly on my face with a fan-shaped brush. After about 10 minutes, she removed the mixture with facial sponges.

4. Eye brow trimming

5. Facial steaming – The classic kind with H20 steam.

6. Preparing the skin for extraction with scaling fluid

7.  Extraction

8. After extraction, she applied Eve Taylor Facial Oil #3 on the affected areas. Smelled heavenly.

9. She then used the high frequency wand with a cottom wool around the extracted areas to kill existing bacteria.

10.  She then applied a mixture of colloidal masque with medibac clearing complex with ultrasonic equipment to help skin penetration

11. After that, she applied more of the mixture before putting a layer of moist gauze over my face. She then applied a layer of contour masque over the gauze.

12. Massage – Nice!

13. 20 minutes for masque to be absorbed.

Review: My beauty consultant exhibited good product knowledge and was skillful in her extraction methods. The massage was really good as she applied firm strokes. After the facial, she helped me to apply Averine concealer to hide the redness on my skin. She also recommended the Eve Taylor facial oil #3 to buy and gave me a number of medibac samples to try. I really enjoyed my facial and I would seriously consider signing a package with them. For the package, it costs $640 for 6 treatments and if I had signed up with them on that day, my trial facial would have been free. I think the facial at Orchidee was better than the ones I have had at Epi Treatz.

Rating: 4/5

More details are as follows:

Medibac Facial Treatment = $128 (after 30% = $89.60)

Just a note that I was not sponsored in any way by Orchidee for the facial.

A Fruitful Saturday

I have a specific taste for bags and clothes. I like simple designs with clean lines. I have been looking for a professional looking bag for work for quite a while and today, I found it in Hiroshima @ Marina Square. Form and function, it has it all. And the best part is that the bag can fit A4 size….I love it:)

Covermark Deep Cleansing Oil

Read so many great reviews on Covermark Deep Cleansing Oil that I just had to get my hands on it. Covermark’s claim to fame is their foundation which contains chinese herbs. Covermark is more popular in Hong Kong than Singapore. I was always tasked to buy the foundation from Singapore to Australia for my Hong Kong friend because Covermark prices are much cheaper here than in Hong Kong.

My first pump of this stuff left me in shock. It was oil that was quite heavy to the touch. Immediately, I turned to have a look at the ingredients, and true enough mineral oil is a major ingredient in the product. Mineral oil is derived from petroleum and is widely known as a comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredient in cosmetic products. Given my type of skin condition, I did not even try to use the cleansing oil on any part of my face. As for my review, mineral oil in my skincare…. need I say more?

Dermalogica Facials in Singapore – Part 2

Su Beau Derma Clinique

Shop unit#03-13/15, Velocity@Novena Square
238 Thomson Road Singapore 307683

Tel: 6252 5822

Dermamedic Face N Bodyline

Blk 82 Marine Parade Central #01-620 Singapore 440082

Tel: 6440-5677

CLAIR BEBE
Blk 59 New Upper Changi Road, #01-1220, Singapore 461059
Tel: 6245-0773 (Near Bedok South Hawker Centre)

Orchidee (orchidee.com.sg)

58 Marine Terrace #01-45 
Singapore 440058

Tel: 62420313 Fax: 67383722

Home-based Dermalogica Facial

Aromaticsecret.com.sg

4 Jalan Ampas #03-02, Balestier Regency
Singapore 329505(Behind Shaw Plaza)

Tel: 98328817

How often do you exfoliate your skin (on your face)?